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.

Hi again everyone, sorry I just kind of disappeared. When I tried to book in I was told they were full for that month (June), full the following month (July) but they would pencil me in to book in August, starting stims September. It was difficult dealing with the stress and anxiety of waiting, then on top of that we decided to move house so that's also been stressful. You'd think we would become more used to all of this waiting around 🙈 but anyway, hopefully will get booked in around 2 weeks and can start stims September.

@Olivia199 that's exciting, best of luck for your transfer!

@beachbum85 I needed an emergency section, my initial tests were just hormonal bloods, no scan though. I did wonder if I should have had that 🙈

@Dochas12111 good luck with your consult! Have you had those tests done before?

@itsmschanandlerbong - Oh bless you, that sounds like a really stressful time! I hope the house move is going well and exciting to start in Sept!

I had my transfer a week ago today and got my BFP two days ago! It's getting lovely and dark now so I've got everything crossed.

That's great @Olivia199 😊

Oooh congrats @Olivia199! Fab news! Xx

Thank you ladies! 😀

Congrats @Olivia199 hopefully you’re setting the bar for this group and we will all get there too!

@itsmschanandlerbong sorry for your stress and delay. August next week so not long until you can get going again! When is the house move due?

I’ve had all those tests before and they all flagged up issues so I’d like to make sure they are all still resolved before doing a transfer. I would really love it if I didn’t have to do another egg collection. I worry about all the hormones I’ve taken. So I want to check everything I can before transfer.

had my consult and current plan is to do the Emma & Alice biopsy, the immune bloods and also standard bloods in mid August. Then a hycosy/saline scan to check the scar and uterus etc in September and if all is good a transfer in October. I have to do the biopsy and saline scan in different cycles unfortunately as I was hoping to do them all together but apparently as I need antibiotics for the saline scan it might mess up the biopsy results.

did you get a scan to check your scar too if you also had a c-section?

where is everyone else at?

Huge congratulations @Olivia199! How are you feeling??

@itsmschanandlerbong that is a lot... Sorry to hear about all the frustrating waiting! Congratulations on your new house though 🤩

@Dochas12111 sounds like a good idea to repeat those tests and rule out any recurring issues... it's a shame you need 2 different cycles but it'll all definitely be worth it if you can avoid an egg collection 🤞🏼 How are you feeling about it all?

We had our consultation yesterday and I'm booked in for bloods and an ultrasound - first availability is in October but if the results are clear, we'll be good to go, so we're happy with that timing and hoping nothing comes up in those tests 😊 whilst we were waiting, my partner said he was felt we're rushing a bit, so i think he was relieved to hear of the October slot 😅
I asked if the ultrasound was to check the C-section scar, but the doctor just said that they check everything they can see 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hope everyone is well x

@Dochas12111 - Thank you! Sounds like you've got some things booked in ready! How exciting!

I didn't have a scan specifically due to previous section scar, but they did note my scar has calcified which they hadn't seen before. This was on a random pre treatment lining check!

@beachbum85 - I'm doing okay thank you! Very very excited which has taken over full swing now. The first week of knowing had a slightly downward spin as I got pneumonia and felt absolutely horrific and so so sick. I feared I was heading hyperemesis way! But that seems to have calmed right down now that I'm feeling better, thank goodness!

Oh how exciting for things being booked it!!!

Hi how is everyone doing? (Im)Patiently waiting to start stims, should be in around 2 weeks!

Hi @itsmschanandlerbong I’m waiting on results from my Emma and Alice, immunes and AMH plus DH tests. Should be in another week or so. Then all going well a saline scan to check uterus and c-section scar in September and a transfer in October.

i don’t know if I’m doing the right thing though. Some of the girls on another thread I’m on have said they would do more collections first to get more embryos. I’ve only got 3 poor quality ones with low success rates. I see their point as a friend had a late miscarriage at 18 weeks so if the worst happened and I got pregnant but had no embryos left and something goes wrong I’d be a lot older trying again and I know I’d want to. Depressing but it’s left me confused as to what to do but DH wants to press on with a transfer and I also don’t really want to take more hormones than I have already!

How are you feeling about going again?

Hi everyone!

I’ll catch up properly but congratulations @Olivia199!!!

Can I ask if everyone else was told they needed to do an ovarian assessment again before FET? I had a forceps birth. No period (still BF). We’re looking at doing the ovarian assessment in 2 weeks and consult end of Sept and then hopefully try transferring 1 of our 2 Frosties. Feels big to be doing this rodeo again!

How is everyone doing?
We are still trying naturally and cycle 5 of ttc and already getting down.

Congratulations @Olivia199

Thanks guys, that's so kind. Unfortunately I went for my scan at 7+5 and there was no heartbeat. Got another scan at the EPU Thursday and then we can discuss management as I'm still very much not bleeding and experiencing all the sickness etc. Wishing you all the very best on your journey to a sibling. X

Just read my last message back - hilariously I did, indeed, get hyperemesis. Which has yet to catch up to the fact little one isn't growing anymore.

@Olivia199 I’m so sorry to hear they couldn’t detect a heartbeat. It’s a horrible situation to be in and the limbo is so difficult

I'm so sorry @Olivia199 ... that's terrible beyond words and the hyperemesis must feel like a very cruel joke your body is playing right now 💔 sending you huge hugs xxx

I’m so sorry @Olivia199

Thanks Ladies.
It does feel fairly cruel to still be so sick. I've had a glass of wine and some brie as a little fingers up to the universe... only to throw it all back up when the universe retaliated.

Hopefully on Thursday we can make a plan and at least the physical aspect can be over. Crappy couple weeks coming up but focusing on my wonderful little miracle girl and making her birthday and Christmas as special as it can be.

@Dochas12111 did you get the results through? Do you think it was worthwhile doing those tests?

@2mumlife no I didn't, and I'm having a full cycle. Maybe it's because you don't have a period yet?

@Olivia199 I am so sorry, there are no words 😢😢 sending big hugs xx

Thank you @itsmschanandlerbong. I'm in for surgical management tomorrow so at least physically it'll be over. X

@Olivia199 good luck for tomorrow, I hope it all goes smoothly and you feel physically better afterwards. Sending hugs and strength xxx

@Dochas12111 keep us posted with your results - I hope it's all clear for you! I just saw your message about potentially going for another egg collection... If it were me I think it'd depend on how old I were. In general, I would avoid any unnecessary egg collections because it's a lot on the body, but if I were nearing/over 40, for example I'd definitely see the point of trying to have some extra embryos. Fwiw we only have 2 embryos, good grades, but I'm very conscious of the fact that we may be going for another fresh round at 38 yo if they don't work out.

@2mumlife nobody mentioned ovarian assessment before an FET, but then again the tests I've been asked to do seem to be the bare minimum.

@itsmschanandlerbong when are you due to start your round? Very excited for you!

@Swirls346 very sorry to hear TTC is getting you down... I can totally understand. We're not actively tracking/timing but I still ridiculously get my hopes up every month and I remember exactly how it was when we were originally TTC. It stressed me out so much that I'd almost rather go right into an FET and skip that phase entirely, and avoid associating sex with TTC every again, but that's quite silly, I know.

I managed to get an earlier appointment for my ultrasound as they had a cancellation, so it will be next Mon instead of end Oct. If that comes back clear, my partner and I will have to have a proper talk about when we'd like to go for an FET, and when we can, based on trips we've booked over Christmas and so on. Some friends are also telling me to think about when I'd most like to have a baby based on school age, seasons, etc etc. Tbh, I never bothered with all of that as I know the chances of being successful first time trying again will be low, and I'd be super happy with a baby born any day of the year, but now I'm wondering if this is a potential benefit of IVF that I should be paying more attention to? Any thoughts?

I hope everyone else is well xxx

Thank you @beachbum85.

In terms of birth date planning, I'd never really thought of it. I've got a September baby and this one would have been April which felt pretty lovely. Though there is part of me that looks at my bright, inquisitive, confident little girl and thinks "Blimey. You'd so be ready for school before you're 5!", there is also the other side of things which is an extra year of holidays during term time 😂 plus the hours of nursery suit us so I guess it's swings and roundabouts.

I figured any day I managed to hold my baby would be the best day of my life so mostly ignored when any treatment would likely be due.