IVF sibling round support

[itsmschanandlerbong]

Just wondered if there would be any interest in setting up a support thread for those of us thinking about a sibling round. This could very much be a 'me' issue but I feel a bit awkward sometimes posting in other threads, it's a bit like being stuck between being very lucky and fortunate having had a successful round, but also struggling with the challenges of having to go through it all over again. I've found it difficult to know my place in this community now.

So yeah, is anyone else trying or thinking about trying for their sibling round yet? Ill post a comment with our story.

@2mumlife - Thank you. I'm doing okay! 21 eggs collected, a little sore but home and relaxing. Got my sexy TED stocking on and got Fyremadel and Cabigoline to take. Blood test to check Kidney/Liver function Monday which is a pain as I'm back at work that day too. But my boss has been lovely. So I'll nip for the blood test first thing.

How's everyone doing?

@Olivia199 Never experienced OHSS sounds like a pain but that they are taking good care of you. 21 eggs is amazing!!!!! Hope you have great fertilisation 🤞

Thank you @2mumlife. I'm really pleased. I'm donating half again so have everything crossed for my remaining 11!

@Olivia199 I didn’t realise you were a donor too! You amazing person! 🥰 Karma owes you a really good fertilisation rate and lots of day 5 embryos x

@2mumlife - Thank you, that's so kind! Results are in and of my 11, I've 9 fertilised. So I'm thrilled for now! Still a little sad about the fresh transfer but understand its for the best. I also wouldn't want to risk getting poorly with my DD!
I've come up in hives head to toe since last night which is... odd! Not sure quite how to explain it. Antihistamines don't appear to fully resolve the issue either.

Congratulations @Olivia199, that’s a fantastic number! Hope you’re enjoying being able to eat/drink whatever you want for now - I understand being disappointed about doing a frozen cycle but you’ll be in a much better place healthwise. Keeping everything crossed you end up with some good blasts 🤞🏻.

Everything is pretty calm here - I did a test a couple of days ago and it was positive 😬♥️. I’m trying not to get too excited after what happened last time, but even if this one doesn’t stick I’m finding a weird comfort in the fact that my last embryo has been put back where it belongs and has had a flicker of life at least.

Otd isn’t until Wednesday so we’ll see if I still get a positive then, and go from there.

Hope everyone else is doing ok xxxxx

@MindatWork - Thank you! It'll be a long way off before I can try for a frozen. A couple years I should imagine. This has totally depleted my funds (and then some!) So unless I have a random relative coming forward to pay for the next round, I'm out. But having more in the freezer makes me feel better at least. I guess!

Oh my goodness! Tentative congratulations lovely. I can absolutely imagine how hard it is but I've got everything in the world crossed for you. One step at a time. X

Hey everyone. Here for a bit of advice to a weird and wonderful situation. (Less so wonderful but there we are!).

After my 21 eggs were collected they put me on Fyremadel and Cabergoline to ward off OHSS, along with some sexy stockings for 10 days to reduce DVT risk.

After egg collection Friday I came up in hives but it was managed with some antihistamines. I've had all the medications of egg collection before and nothing has changed at all. So it was really strange. My meds were delivered yesterday and I took my first cabergoline. I came up in itchy painful hives EVERYWHERE and had some gastro symptoms that were wildly unpleasant.

If I hadn't had the hives Friday then without a doubt I'd have assumed an allergy to Cabergoline. I called the clinic and they've said to not take any more and I've got OHSS bloods tomorrow morning anyway so they'll assess the rash. They've also asked I stay on antihistamines.

I'm bloated and sore and acutely aware that the gastro symptoms could be the medication or some concerning OHSS signs.

Has anyone had an experience like this, or being unable to take the Cabergoline tablets and offered something else to prevent OHSS?

Last time I had 28 eggs collected and although I suffered a bit with bloating etc, I was okay. This time I'm in my maternity clothes because nothing else bloody fits!

As with anything, I'm just keen to know the next steps in a situation where I can't really until they happen. So figured I'd check you lovely lot to see if by chance anyone has any experience!

Congratulations @MindatWork , hoping the line gets darker and all goes well.

@Olivia199 hope the 9 embryos keep developing well. As for you, maybe the wider infertility board would have more advice on OHSS symptoms. Whatever it is sounds very unpleasant for you and I hope you feel better ASAP.

Wishing all of you a Happy Mothers Day, I hope you can cherish some moments from today (although it’s definitely not all sparkle!)

Thank you @daisypizza - I’m fairly sure it’s a chemical through, did another test today and the line wasn’t much darker, plus all my symptoms have slowly disappeared over the weekend. Official test day is wed so am hoping to avoid having to go up to London for a beta, but I imagine even if there’s still a faint line I’ll have to go.

Have had a bit of a cry today but trying to look on the bright side with my lovely DD. I’ve booked this week off work to lick my wounds so am going to potter round the garden centre tomorrow.

How are you doing @Olivia199??

Aw @MindatWork I’m so sorry you have this uncertainty. Obviously I hope that it turns out not to be a chemical, will be thinking of you during the wait. I don’t know how far you are from London but if travel is quite far and a pain you might be able to get a private blood test near you. I usually do that because I have had most of my treatment abroad.

Definitely get a few more cuddles from your lovely DD.

@Olivia199 9 fertilised is great! How many have made it to embryo stage? I didn't realise you were looking at needing to wait awhile until you could do transfer :( How are you doing with the hives? Really hoping you're ok.

@MindatWork Sorry you're a bit in limbo at the moment. I would try not to count yourself out quite yet, though I know with my chemical pregnancy I had a really strong sense of things just not being right (it was my first every BFP and I had no symptoms and line wasn't getting darker on FRER). Really hoping its not a chemical for you

@2mumlife - I'm thrilled as 8 made it top quality to day 3. Final update tomorrow. Yes they won't let me transfer due to the OHSS risk but honestly I've been in so much pain I'm not sure it'd be for the best anyway. I'm going to take some time out while I save and enjoy my perfect little family (and maybe just have some fun time!).

That’s fantastic news @Olivia199, what great results!

Hope youre on the mend soon and can enjoy all the good food/drink and spend some lovely time with your little family ☺️

@Olivia199 sorry you’ve been in so much pain. Hoping the final embryo count stays high. I used donor eggs to have my DC, it’s such an amazing thing you’re doing.

@2mumlife hope you’re feeling a bit better.

@MindatWork just a thinking of you, I know limbo is not nice.

@beachbum85 I had a consultation with the clinic and they are happy to repeat the protocol, natural FET with Ovitrelle trigger. They won’t advise medicated while I’m breastfeeding. They did mention that a C-section scar can cause issues but said there’s nothing we can do once the scar is there and mine is not ‘unusual’ so will just hope for the best.

In think we will go in April or May.
It’s pretty complicated with work, the travel does add an extra logistical challenge that I could do without. Trying to avoid thinking about the cost, we spent a lot on travel and accommodation before and it usually gets more expensive closer to summer but not a lot to be done.

Can I be nosy and ask how much a FET costs in the UK? My clinic charge about €1600 which would include all scans and blood tests if I was over there. But obviously have to pay for those privately which can rack up. It will be worth it if it works, I am still a bit taken aback by how much I was convinced it had worked but it was a nice hopeful feeling for a while.

@Olivia199 Those numbers are looking great! Hope you get a good final report today. How are all you OHSS symptoms now?

@daisypizza I can imagine the travel bit being a bit stressful. My clinic are about £1500 for a FET (covering all your bloods, early pregnancy scan or post cycle review consultation etc) + meds if you’re taking them. You’d have to pay an initial consultation fee to “get going” with treatment again which I think was about £300. All my pre-cycle blood tests were covering in the FET price (had to have hep b / hiv etc all done again). My clinics just a 40ish min drive away

@daisypizza Also included optional use of embryo glue within the price (we used this on both our successful cycles)

Thanks @2mumlife it’s interesting to see the FET costs are pretty similar. It’s just blu curiosity on my part, the logistics of moving embryos doesn’t appeal and I really trust my clinic, just wish it was easier to get there!

I did have to pay a bit extra for a smear test and mammogram and I think I paid to repeat the HIV bloods but then for this FET we’ve had one ‘free’ face to face consultation and maybe 3 zoom calls. Maybe I will ask about the embryo glue though I have some relief that I don’t think I could have done anything differently and will hope next time works.

How is the nausea? I think 7up got me through a few weeks of the first trimester but not the sugar-free version, had to be the original one.

@daisypizza I think if you trust your clinic then stick where you are. The evidence for embryo glue is still mixed I think but I don’t think it does any harm.

nausea is getting better. I’m seeing my parents and sister this evening and dreading having to act normal (rather not tell anyone until we hit 12 weeks). And Urgh fizzy would have just made me vom 😂

@2mumlife oh yes I meant flat 7up! Good luck with the acting skills 🤞🏼

Hi all,

Just to update, it was a chemical pregnancy. By test day (last wed) the test was almost completely blank, so at least it was a clear negative and I didn't have to mess around getting a beta/repeat blood tests.

We are very sad but have processed it a bit now, and are trying to focus on the positives of our beautiful DD and our future as a family of 3. This feels very much like a watershed moment; we first started ttc in 2012 so have been on this treadmill for more than a decade - definitely time to move on to the next phase of our lives!

I'll probably duck out of this thread now, but sending all the luck and love to you @Olivia199 @daisypizza @beachbum85 and all those of you who will be trying again at some point, and wishing a healthy pregnancy to @2mumlife.

❤

Oh @MindatWork I'm so so sorry to hear that. Sending you all the best with your beautiful family and hope you get some peace with it all. Be kind to yourselves. Its such a long time to be focused on something, it's no wonder you're feeling the way to you. Thinking of you. X

@MindatWork I'm so sorry to hear its ended in a CP. What a journey you've been on, definitely will take some time to reflect and as you say finally get the chance to have a new phase of your lives. Definitely time to enjoy your DD and funnel all your love into her - what a miracle you have her, and the joy she brings. Wishing your family all the best in the future.

Hello @MindatWork
So sorry that the transfer didn’t go as hoped. That’s a long time to be on a TTC journey.
Sending love to you as you step off the treadmill and onto the path…I hope the 3 of you have a beautiful onward journey together.

Hi all. I'm going to be starting IVF for a sibling in a few months but struggling to get my head into the right place. I have a 16 month old who still doesn't sleep amazingly so I'm always knackered. Does anyone have any advice.

Sorry to hear about recent losses. It's so hard.

@2mumlife great to see you're pregnant