IVF April 2023

[charja100]

Hi all,

I'm about to start my first IVF ICSI cycle. I expect to start my stims next week and all being well will have a fresh transfer in April.

Looking for buddies to come on this journey with me.

I am not having treatment did have 20 years ago and have a 19 year old daughter from it.
Just wanted to say good luck

Sal

@Sadless thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.

Hi @charja100 👋
I'm also on the countdown to IVF, should be starting next week all being well. Nervous but also just want to get going now, it's been a long few years up to this point! How are you feeling about it?

Hi @Bims2019

Pretty much the same, nervous and excited all rolled into one. It's taken 2.5 years to get to this point for us and now I can't believe it's here.
Have you done anything to help you prepare for it?

@charja100 I know how you feel! It's all a bit unreal but I'm glad we're finally able to move forward and do something. It's been 3 years for us with unexplained infertility.
I've been having acupuncture, taking supplements and trying to be active/eat more healthily, but have found that really difficult at times. How about you?

Hi can I join please? 😊

I am due to start my first round of IVF next week, starting with down reg next Monday.

I'm 33 and DH is 38 and we don't have children yet. We need IVF because my husband has azoospermia (zero sperm in his semen) because he has a blockage stopping the sperm from getting out. He had surgical sperm retrieval in December and so we have his frozen sperm ready to use.

I feel nervous and excited! It's also taken us a good few years to get to this point.

@Bims2019 really struggling to change too much to be honest as trying to keep calm and not get too anxious / stressed.

I've reduced my coffee intake to one a day and I'm taking all the vitamins recommended in the book it starts with an egg. I've limited alcohol but still had the odd glass here and there.

The main thing for me is I'm trying to stop working so hard. I'm quite driven and bury myself in work when things aren't going to plan. That's not the best idea as my job can be stressful and fast paced so trying to make sure I just find time to balance!

@charja100 oh I completely understand, it's so hard to not get stressed by it all and remember all the things you're supposed/not supposed to do. Like you I've reduced caffeine and alcohol, but just can't bring myself to give it up altogether. Don't want to remove all joy from life 😂 but then I feel guilty that I haven't and think maybe that's the reason we haven't been successful so far 🤷🏼‍♀️ it's really difficult.

Yep also hear you on the work front. Have you told anyone at work about your situation? Mine is also stressful with lots going on at the moment, my manager knows and is being mostly supportive but I'm not sure how I'm going to cope alongside the treatment. It might be a good thing if you're really busy though, to keep your mind off things! As long as you're able to take time to rest as well. I have a feeling IVF will force me to slow down and not sure how that's going to go!

Hi @lemons44! It's really good to know people who are also starting their treatment soon, AF is due any day now for me so just want to get started. It sounds like you've had a difficult journey so far, will you be having ICSI?

@Bims2019 I also can't cut everything out. I feel like we've been on this journey so long already and who knows what the road is in store for us to get to the end of the journey I need to stay mentally strong as well to cope with it all.

So I haven't told anyone at work yet. I was recently promoted and there was a lot of change in the team and as much as I think they'd be understanding I do think they'd start thinking what's next, and almost making plans. If find that too difficult to deal with the questions so at the moment I'm going to keep it to myself.

I will probably tell them if I have to go through another round etc and I run out of annual leave or it looks like I'm taking too much time off.

Luckily my employer does flexible working and I'm at home 4 days of the week most weeks so it's easy for me to nip out. My clinic is 45 mins away from me but only 5 min drive from my office. Unless something changes and I'm poorly then I might need to tell them.

For now going to bury myself in work 🤣

AF also due any day for me!

@lemons44 welcome! Sorry we all have to be here, but it's good to talk to those going through the same. I understand your excitement and nerves!

@charja100 so true, you've got to do what's best for you and whatever helps keep you sane!

AF arrived bang on time for me yesterday, so I've done my first injection today and booked in for the first scan on Tuesday. The injection itself was fine and I've just got a bit of a headache now, feels quite surreal to actually start after all this time.

How are you both getting on?

Hi @Bims2019 and @charja100 thanks for the welcome

@Bims2019 yep it's been a pretty crappy journey so far! Just so glad we have finally made it to this point. We will be having ICSI as this is standard for anybody using sperm that's been surgically extracted (surgically extracted sperm can't actually swim, it only twitches because it's underdeveloped) so only option is ICSI. How amazing you have done your first injection!! What meds are you on?

I am starting on Monday with Burserelin to down regulate. I had my meds arrive today and so it feels so real! I suddenly had this moment when I just felt so overwhelmed all of a sudden. It's the first time I had a feeling like that relating to it.

I totally get the dilemma about telling work. I'm also in a pretty high pressured role so I decided to tell my managers in case I need to step back a bit from the pressure. I do find work a really good distraction though.

@Bims2019 so I awoke up to spotting and Cramps this morning, pretty sure I'll be full flow soon. So AF has hit me bang on time too. First injection for me tomorrow now most likely. I actually feel so nervous now like it's all finally happening!

Are you drinking lots of water? Might help with the headaches.

@lemons44 I felt like that when my meds arrived!

I'm going to try and go as long as I can without telling work, but I'm sure a day will come when it's creating stress and I need space and at the point I feel that way I will tell them.

My jobs stressful and fast paced but I work from home 80% of the time so it's in my gift to slow down for a few weeks, I just need to make sure I do that!

Hi all
Wondered if i could join on. My first ever Ivf round. Due to start my injections this week, crapping myself now as im not a fan of needles and just wondering if i can cope with it all! Its very overwhelming. If anyone has any tips with the jabs would be good? So nervous about everything.

How was your first injection @charja100 ?

I have my first one tonight. I'm nervous too @Flowerlover010 are you on long or short protocol?

@lemons44 i am a bit behind with the terminology at times but i think i am on short? If that means im not on any meds and just waiting for my natural period to arrive to start on day 2 with my injections!

Im wondering if anyone tried a cold patch on the area before injecting and whether that works or hinders!

@Flowerlover010 ah ok yes I think that means short protocol 😊 I am on long protocol which means I start on day 21 of my cycle and have the extra step of down regulation.

I'd be interested to know about a cold compress too actually. I have heard the needles are so skinny though that you don't really feel them.

Morning!

Welcome @Flowerlover010

@lemons44 Okay so injection 1 down... and it really wasn't that bad! I took my time and just didn't rush anything. I think that's the key, I did it all slowly and I don't even have a bruise today!

I definitely think it was more the build up to doing it that freaked me out. But honestly it really wasn't bad at all and I feel really calm about the rest now. I didn't try a cold compress. I might try that on the ones on my belly but I don't think I'll need it for my thigh.

@charja100 well done for the first injection! I almost didn't feel the first one, then the second hurt a bit more because I went in at a funny angle. Just need to get used to doing it I think! The past two evenings have been fine, no headaches. I do have to make myself drink more water as you're right it does help, feeling more hydrated over the last few days than ever before 🤣 have you got your first scan booked in?

@lemons44 good luck with starting your meds today! I know what you mean about them all arriving and it feeling overwhelming, they take up so much room in the fridge as well so it's a constant reminder! I'm on Bemfola 150, think it's quite a low dosage and so far side effects have been very limited. First scan is tomorrow morning so I'm anxious and excited to see how things are progressing. I totally agree that with work you have to do what's best for you, and keeping busy can definitely be a good distraction!

@Flowerlover010 welcome! It sounds like you're on a similar treatment to me, I'm doing mild IVF with Create. I haven't tried a cold compress but the needles are really fine and I've not felt them much. My advice (based on 3 days so I'm not an expert my any means!) would be to make sure the needle goes in straight rather than at an angle, and to take the meds out the fridge for 10 mins or so before you do the injection. Apparently it can hurt more if it's cold! I have a couple of very small bruises but otherwise you can't really tell.

Hi all, how are you getting on?

I had my first scan on Tuesday, where they said there were only 3 follicles developing. They said this was low but my bloods were fine so I could continue with the cycle.

Then had my day 8 scan this morning, the 3 follicles are growing which they said is promising. I had one at 14mm, two around 13.5 and then a couple of small ones at 5mm and 6mm. Going again on Saturday then hopefully for egg collection on Monday - so most of Easter weekend at the clinic 😂

Felt a bit disheartened on Tuesday but am hoping for quality over quantity. It's so nerve-wracking!

Hope you're all doing ok

Hi @Bims2019 sorry that It's taken a couple of days to come back I missed your reply! I'm also on another chat in conception - IVF April 2023 - looking for buddies. There's quite a few of us on there you should come and join. 💕

It's CD10 for me tomorrow and I'm having my first scan. I feel like maybe that's pretty late for a first scan?! Worrying me a bit but hey ho.

I'm sorry you felt disheartened. How was your scan yesterday? It's definitely quality over quantity, stay positive! It does only take one!

So little update. Had my first stims scan today. Nurse said all looked as she would have expected so taking that as a good sign! Had varying follicles from 7 to 15 but most were at the 8,9,10 mark. So I continue with my protocol as it is atm without any changes and back in on Wednesday for my next scan which will be CD12. Might be egg collection on Friday, or she said it could even be Monday. Monday seems very far away!

@Bims2019 you mentioned it might have been eggs collection day today. Had there been much progress? Thinking of you 💐

How are you both getting on? @lemons44 @Flowerlover010

@charja100 My treatment is delayed now for me. Egg collection is now going to be around 1st june but i should start some drugs around end of april. Frustrated at the delay now but it is what is.

@Flowerlover010 sorry it's been delayed. I had my treatment delayed twice. It was really disappointing so I know you must be feeling frustrated. The end of April isn't too far, and you'll be another step forwards. Sending hugs 🤗

@charja100 yes this is the 2nd time mine has been delayed now mainly due to lack of communication with my clinic! Its really hard when im nervous about it all and just want to get it over with because im losing sleep over it etc etc but i guess it will come round eventually. I cant believe how much time it all takes and how much waiting there is. Wont be until nearly September before we know if its worked or not and we first enquired last November!!