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 @beachbum85 thanks for checking in. It’s amazing how the time can stretch on! Feb isn’t too far away.

We are still delayed here. Test came back the same so now on stronger antibiotics and will have to do another repeat in Feb so hopefully it’ll be transfer in March!

Happy new year everyone!

@beachbum85 That's annoying your period showed up on the 28th :( Do you have everything in place to go in Feb? My period come at the start of Jan whilst we were away visiting relatives but took all the meds with me, so we've officially got started! My first lining scan is next Monday, so we'll see how I'm responding then, and hopefully transfer the week after. Still all feels a bit surreal to be honest! Luckily not having any side effects so far (other than feeling fat, but I think that's just overindulging at Christmas!), so I'm still feeling quite relaxed? I'm sure the urge to go out and buy 600million FRER tests will quick in at some point 😆

@Dochas12111 Sorry about your test results not being what you hoped :( Hopefully you can get going with a transfer in March!

@2mumlife so exciting! Glad to hear you've started and you're feeling well and especially relaxed😊feeling fat is inevitable after the holidays, but a sign of good times 😅
Ohhh I wish we were going at the same time, but I just picked up my meds today and feeling good, and calm, about next month. I keep thinking about all the stuff I did last time round and realise I was so, so desperate to feel like I was doing something useful. I think (so far at least) that I'll be able to go with the flow a lot more this time round.

@Dochas12111 very sorry to hear about your delay - i can imagine the frustration! I hope these antibiotics do the trick and you get positive results next month xxx

@MindatWork - Hi, I think I recognise your username from one of the other chats. I was also sadly diagnosed with a missed miscarriage back in August from a FET. How are you doing? Thinking of you. It's so tough with the added Christmas pressure and your friends announcement.

I'm starting in early March for a fresh cycle. Both nervous and excited and ... nervous?! So many steps to go wrong with a fresh cycle!

@beachbum85 oooo that’s good you’ve picked up meds :) shame we aren’t at same time this time. Oh god I remember doing SO many things last time, like you say just wanted to feel like I was doing something. It’s funny this time around as I’m still in a lot of the good habits anyway (still never drink much alcohol or caffeine since being pregnant the first time). I also think part of it is just being too damn busy with DD to be able to obsess as much this time around (yet!). Different too as we know we only have the 2 Frosties so we know we only have 2 shots at this and they’ll either stick or they won’t.

@Olivia199 oh good luck for fresh cycle! I’m still very on the fence about whether I’d put myself through another fresh cycle for a sibling as I always respond so poorly. Keeping everything crossed though you have a smooth cycle

Clinic were happy with lining scan today, so all on track for transfer next Monday :O

Not looking forward to starting the cyclogest though to be honest. Wish I’d requested utrogestan instead as got on better with those

@beachbum85 sorry your period dates went against you. Mine came later than expected and combined with a conference and work travel mean January is out for me. Hoping I can go ahead February or March (preferably February, I’m so impatient to get started after other delays), I am going to try to get my meds delivered so I’ve got everything good to go.

@2mumlife glad your transfer date is coming soon, good luck.

@Dochas12111 sorry about your delays

@Olivia199 good luck with the fresh cycle

@daisypizza That’s a shame you’ve got delayed until feb or March as well. Keeping fingers crossed that the defrost and transfer goes ok

@2mumlife Monday already?! Wow! 🤩 so glad all is well and best of luck! Hoping this Frostie sticks and you'd don't have to think about another fresh cycle at all 😊
Good luck with the Cyclogest... it's the only progesterone I ever had and I hated it... ugh!!

@daisypizza sorry to hear you're out as well this month... so frustrating! I hope it's Feb for you too and hopefully we can go together 🤞🏼when are you expecting your period next?

@Olivia199 very best of luck for your fresh cycle... March is not far now! Hard to keep calm, but I hope excitement wins over nerves 💪

@beachbum85 I know right! Seems really quick doesn't it? I got put on utrogestan for one of my cycles because of the shortages in cyclogest at the time, and much preferred it, so I actually requested it for the cycle that resulted in DD (you take it 3 times a day, but its a much smaller capsule that you have an applicator to insert, and not waxy like the cyclogest). Pleased its a Monday though for transfer as makes it so much easier as DD will be in nursery, so partner can come with for the transfer.

When is your next period due? You excited to get started?

I have used utrogestan orally as part of a mock cycle (as well as vaginally).
I didn’t use the applicators as I got most of my utrogestan in Spain and it doesn’t come with applicators there.
My least favourite progesterone has been crinone gel - it was brown and grainy and looked like one of those exfoliating shower gels!

@2mumlife glad your timing works so that your partner can attend. When the time comes I will have my FET alone as my embryos are in Spain and I won’t have childcare and won’t be able to take DC in so will just focus on the process. I know I’ll be nervous but I will just work on staying calm and like you say hoping the defrost goes well (I have more than one but would be nice not to have added stress!)

@beachbum85 my cycles are a bit variable (not ideal for an unmedicated cycle!) but hopefully by the second week of February.

@2mumlife definitely excited, although I don't really like it's really happening yet... not sure why! Period is due around the 24th, so coming up soon 😊

Glad to hear your partner can come with you! I've only ever been alone because of COVID restrictions at the time... like many of us here, I imagine. @daisypizza you've been there before so I'm sure you know what works best for you, but listening to Mindful IVF meditations as I waited alone really helped me stay calm. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you don't have to wait too long till your next cycle!

Smaller, less waxy capsule sounds great, and potential applicator even more so. How come they don't offer this instead?! 😅is it more expensive, maybe?

@daisypizza that’s interesting you too it orally. Is it just the same capsule you did they with? I’ve never done the gel, just cyclogest, utrogestsn and Lubion injections (which I’m on this cycle as well). How do you find the travel and communication with Spain? I just feel partner gets left out of so much of this process that I like if she can at least be there for the transfer :) We have just the 2 embryos and doing a single embryo transfer, so we do have a “backup” if needed, but I’d be gutted to lose one during the defrost

@beachbum85 We were lucky that they always let partners in for transfer and early preg scan despite covid. I don’t think there was that much price difference really l. Possibly
its just because it’s 3 times a day but that bothered me less than the icky wax. I used the mindful ivf app last time but I see they changed the pricing of it now. I keep meaning to pay for a month but I’ve not got round to it. I’ve really just been getting on with everything as usual at the moment but I reckon I’ll need the mindfulness during the TWW. It still doesn’t really feel that real to me yet either! Hopefully not long to wait for you then! It’ll go by so fast.

Hi all, hope you're all having a peaceful January. We picked up our meds from Asda between xmas and new year (half the price of ordering from the clinic!!) and my period came last week, so I'm on the countdown to start norethisterone in preparation for our transfer cycle. We're currently looking at last week of Feb if all goes well.

Unfortunately as I had surgical management for my miscarriage, our consultant is insisting on doing a 3D saline scan of my uterus this month to make sure there's no damage or scarring, before they do the transfer. That's booked in for this Friday and I'm REALLY not looking forward to it 😕.

@beachbum85 that's good you've picked up your meds and are feeling relaxed for this cycle. I might have to check out some of those meditations!

@2mumlife good luck for your transfer on Monday! I'm having cyclogest for this cycle as there is a big shortage of the crinone gel, which I was on before. Like you I also have to have utrogestan tablets orally AND Lubion injections; my body doesn't get on with progesterone (doesn't seem to make enough of it or absorb it so I have to have huuuuuge doses). Hope you get on ok with the utrogestan.

@Olivia199 yes sadly we were on that thread together - I'm so pleased for you that you're getting to do another round. Hope you managed to have a nice Christmas with your DS.

@daisypizza Keeping fingers crossed you get to go in February - it's so annoying when you get yourself all ready to go and then things don't line up.

Sending good vibes to all ❤xxxx

@MindatWork It always feels more real when you pick up the meds I find. Interesting Asda was cheaper - our clinic charges you £150 to write a private prescription to take elsewhere (absolutely ridiculous!) which has always put me off trying to source drugs elsewhere.

We managed to avoid having to use norethisterone before the cycle (though they included a box in my meds....). My period came back though in the couple of months between our consultation and actually getting the meds so I think that's probably why. It has meant they cycle has felt super quick though. Does your clinic check your progesterone levels? Mine never has to be honest. The cyclogest wasn't as bad yesterday as I remembered, and just counting down the lubion injections :)

Hope everything goes well for your saline scan and results come back with no issues

Hi everyone, we had our transfer today 😃Defrost went absolutely fine and embryo showed no signs of degrading, so transferred 1 x B grade embryo this afternoon. Everything went really smoothly. Let the waiting begin!

How is everyone else doing?

Ohhh such great news @2mumlife ! Congrats on being PUPO and having your embryo on board 😍I'm glad everything went smoothly and I'll be keeping everything crossed for you over the next 10 days or so. How are you feeling? Are you usually an early tester?

@MindatWork how was your scan? I hope it wasn't too unpleasant, and that the results came out clear!

All good here... Looks like my period will be here by tomorrow (a couple of days early, not sure if that's because I went to an acupuncture session and that gets things moving?!) so just about ready to go this cycle! I just paid for a month of MindfulIVF and have started listening to a meditation a day, have started a little bit of yoga, but otherwise all the same but starting to get excited that the time is nearing now 🤩

@2mumlife so happy to hear the transfer went well, will be keeping everything crossed for you! Hope you have some good distractions during the wait or I guess is lot can help!

@MindatWork did you have your scan on Friday?

I have been tracking my cycles and doing the whole ‘maybe we’ll have a miracle natural pregnancy before the FET’ for months now so will be in a small way relieved to stop that and hand over to science next cycle if all goes well (and a whole host of nerve wracking times starting with wondering when we can travel and getting off work).

Oh and @beachbum85 we were typing at the same time! Great news that things are moving! I’m going to download that app too, could use some mindfulness.

Congratulations @2mumlife , keeping everything crossed for you! I didn’t have my progesterone levels tested in my first 4 unsuccessful cycles, despite bleeding before test day each time 🧐. When we went to CRGH they tested my levels on transfer day and then again when I had my (positive) beta hcg, only to find my levels had nosedived to dangerous levels and they rushed to get me on Lubion. It made me livid to think I might have had success earlier if our first clinic had listened!

@beachbum85 @daisypizza Thank you for asking - the scan itself was bearable (lovely empathetic scan tech who really looked after me) but the overall experience was terrible - I was kept waiting for 1.5hours in total because my scan appt was late and then they hadn’t booked my phlebotomy appt properly so I had to wait for a slot. I ended up being there for 2 hours and had to run for my train (not pleasant when you’ve had saline solution swished around your uterus and your cramping like the devil is doing the twist down there 👹).

I had awful cramping all weekend but got the all clear so we’re good to go for next month. Seriously questioning whether I even want to go ahead with it to be honest, I feel like I’ve put my body through enough trauma to last a lifetime 😵‍💫.

I did fire off a satisfyingly blistering email to the clinic though so we’ll see what they come back with. Nothing soothes the soul like a good complaint!

Hope everyone is doing ok and didn’t get blown away by last night’s storm!

@beachbum85 Long story with early testing, but the short version is I used to test early but then experienced a chemical pregnancy and decided early testing isn’t any kind of benefit as even if it’s positive it drives you mad 😂so planning not to test until testing day. Will be exciting if that’s your period tomorrow! I really enjoyed the acupuncture I did last time, and the mindful IVF app. I’ve literally done nothing for this cycle, though been thinking of also doing the mindful ivf for a month even though it feels a bit late 😂

@daisypizza Work is really busy at the moment so that will help. Also meeting a friend to go catch the musical theatre version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the weekend so that’ll help too. I always do quite well the first 5 days, it’s at the point where I know you can rest and get a positive that I find it a bit harder, but feeling quite resolved not to test early this round. It must be really hard if a natural pregnancy is at all a possibility, as you must constantly be living with that bit of hope every month. I guess you just never know though

@MindatWork That’s interesting as I’ve bled before test day on my fresh embryo transfer which was negative (my other 2 transfers were a chemical and then my DD). Glad you’ve found a clinic and protocol that works for you now, though your experience with the scan doesn’t sound great at all. Has the cramping settled down now? Great you got the all clear though :)

@2mumlife it’s a very small chance of conception compared to other M/F couples as we used donor eggs after many failed rounds of IVF but even then the consultant was warning me I could suddenly be fertile after giving birth. Looks like it hasn’t been the case anyway!
I’m also a determined not to test early type as I can’t deal with the uncertainty of squinting and holding the stick to the light all day.

@MindatWork sorry the scan was such an ordeal. I hate when things like that happen as it’s not like you can just take your custom elsewhere mid-cycle or mid-treatment but it’s annoying.
I did bleed before test day on a fresh cycle before. My current clinic test progesterone before transfer and when I had beta blood test I also had progesterone test.

Ughhh @MindatWork I'm sorry it was so difficult with all that cramping, and put you off going ahead. Very glad you got the OK to proceed though, so hopefully with the complaint email and some time, things will feel a bit better xxx

@daisypizza exactly the same here with tracking my cycles and secretly hoping for a miracle (unexplained here but have never had a natural positive)... but definitely relieved to move to FET now, with all the logistical nightmares that come with it. Soon coming up for you too!

Thanks for sharing that @2mumlife ! I've never tested early before but was sort of planning to this time... but maybe not, knowing that it could drive me equally mad 😕When is test day (if you're OK sharing)? We're here to keep you company and help you hold out till then!

Period started overnight and I've notified the clinic, and waiting for them to contact me with a date for the scan. I'm irrationally worrying that they'll say they don't have availability or something crazy like that... the mind games never end! 😅

@beachbum85 Ooh that's exciting that you're ready to go! Fingers crossed they get you booked in for the scan ok, I'm sure they'll have space.

@daisypizza I've always been the same with that tiny bit of hope for a natural bfp - you hear it happening to so many people you think 'surely that could be us too?' I agree though, there is something a bit comforting about handing it over to science!

@2mumlife Hope you're doing ok - v sensible to not test early; keeping everything crossed for you!