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.

@charja100 so my consultant suggested natural FET for me. I am anxious as its just like which one is better, natural or medicated in terms of success. I know whichever i chose id end up worrying whether i should have done the other! I then got a call the next day about my other embryo that got re-tested and I couldn't believe it, that one is also normal! So out of my 2 that were tested both were normal! I am shocked but also a bit worried about the 2nd one being biopsied twice 🙈 at least i know that i can produce some normal embryos now though! I am still waiting for period to arrive but thats standard in ivf isnt it!

Omg thats suddenly come round quick that you're transferring next week! Fingers crossed for you!

@Flowerlover010 I know what you mean about the worrying. I was offered all three options and my consultant recommended the one I am doing. I've gone back and forth so many times wondering if I made the right decision. It's hard to know for sure isn't it, and I think that what makes this journey even harder sometimes.. the doubt and what ifs.

I know it really has come round quick! I've been so positive until now, but now I'm getting nervous about my transfer. It's getting to me that we didn't PGTA test our embryos.

We paid up front for a multi cycle package and we said we'd see how the first round went without it and that we'd do it next time if needed. Unfortunately my first fresh transfer failed, it was a chemical. It broke me for a few weeks and I'm now so nervous about this next transfer. I wish we'd tested now. I keep wondering if the 2 frozen little embryos have any chance at all, like, what if they're not normal. What if this next round I don't even have a chance at all and Ive set myself up for another failure, and what if the one after that is the same and it doesn't have a hope either. I will definitely test if we're not successful from my two in the freezer.

I know I'm being a hypocrite, but try not to worry about it being biopsied twice. I've read so much about how the cells regenerate and replace and how the testing really doesn't have much effect at all. I know it's hard but focus on the fact that they're normal! That's the best start you can have.

Let us know how your consultation goes tomorrow won't you xx

@charja100 its easy said again (listen to us giving each other the same advice!) but try not to get too hung up on the fact you didnt test. For me it was my first ever ivf round and technically i didnt need to test in the end as on this occasion my only 2 that made it to blast were luckily normal so im sat here thinking i could have had one in there and know the outcome by now with a fresh but its all the what ifs again. For me it was purely only because ive had 3 mc (one confirmed as chromosomally abnormal) that i decided i need to know its chromosomally sound when it goes it in because if i actually get pregnant with one i will freak the hell out. So at least im my mind i will at least know its normal and if i do go on to mc again we know theres something else involved. I actually think if i mc again it would be end of road for me. If i hadnt ever had any MC i too would have just done normal ivf first, the next 1 or 2 could easily be the one for you. I heard a lot more times about it working 2nd or 3rd time with frozen than i have first time, i wonder if thats because the body has had time to get over stimming. Ive already had my consultation now just waiting for period

Morning ladies!

I'm so sorry for my disappearing act.. work has been chaotic to say the least 😅 I've quite literally been eat, sleep, work, repeat! How are you all? @charja100 that's great you've got an FET booked in, how are you feeling about it following your last transfer? I feel like weve both been waiting quite a while for the next steps! @Flowerlover010 I'm so pleased your second embryo is normal! That's fantastic news. What's the next steps from here, are you waiting for AF?

I hope you're all doing as well as can be given this rollercoaster we're on... I've had a few wobbles recently and been catastrophising everything. But we're waiting for AF (approx 2-3 weeks) to start mild FET protocol xx

@VioletCookie also waiting for AF then starting a natural FET. What is a mild FET? Reckon my AF is still a couple of weeks away too

@Flowerlover010 we discussed natural and mild with Create, which I think just means medicated! So I'll take progynova tablets as opposed to waiting for ovulation. It's a similar time scale either which way, but I don't really ovulate so natural may not work for us! I'm nervous about the oestrogen giving me a polyp again (if I even had one before) and potentially having another cancelled cycle, but if I wasn't nervous about that if only be nervous about something else 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hi all
How are you all! @charja100 how exciting ET next week, fingers crossed for you!!
@Flowerlover010 I had a natural FET in April, it didn't work however it was such a lovely experience in comparison to previous fresh ET with lubion and cyclogest. I just did clear blue ovulation sticks then once got the flashy face had trnasfer 6 days later, no meds at all and honestly was the least stressed I've ever been it was so lovely! It's a shame it didn't work but it was our only frozen embryo and it was poor quality.
Weve had a mid cycle scan today (day 6 of stimms) looks like a poor response again!
9 follicles on right all measuring below 10, most below 6
3 follicles on left one at 7 and 2 below 6!
Upped dose of stimms and back Friday!
When people say it only takes 1 good egg......it really just doesn't help lol

@MRSLMF sorry to hear your follicles aren't where you want them to be, crossing everything that you feel more reassured on Friday 🤞🏼 let us know how you get on x

@VioletCookie nice to see you back. I've been feeling positive about it and excited. It's felt like weve been waiting forever! That said everything's gotten a bit on top of me at the moment. Struggling with looking after my mum who had a stroke 9 months ago and works so busy at the moment it's just taking so much time out of my evenings. And then I'm having a nightmare with my direct report at work. She's an over-sharer and she's also someone who seems to revel in having things wrong with her. Well she's pregnant for the second time in the last three months. She had a miscarriage before and she's got diabetes and thinks she has auto immune and has these nightmare personal situations with her in laws... etc etc. the list goes on. I'm just really struggling to deal with her. It's like a constant stream of stuff that's wrong and to be honest I just don't want to hear it. I should be worrying about myself and focusing on what I need, I just feel emotionally drained. I can't be what she needs it's just too much! I feel so out of order as I want to support her but I don't have any energy to even support myself. I'm so sorry for for the emotional rant, but I literally have no one to talk to and I feel so alone

@MRSLMF thank you. sorry your follicles aren't where you need them. I hope they catch up now you have an updated dose! Keep us updated on Friday! X

Thanks @VioletCookie hope you are doing okay?
@charja100 that sounds like a lot on your plate at the moment. Can you take some time off work? If you speak to your gp I'm sure they would sign you off for a few weeks during your embryo transfer. Mine has given me 3 weeks if that's any reassurance?
Taking some time out will reduce the work stress from the oversharer but also give you some time during the day to support your mum? I'm sure even the caring responsibility alone and the stress of that would be reason for gp to sign you off if you felt uncomfortable asking for time off with ivf?
I'm so sorry your having such a hard time
Xxx

@MRSLMF well ive apparently got to do a trigger shot to ensure ovulation and then im taking pessaries so i guess its not 100% natural but i feel like its the right way for me as id prefer less drugs in my body. So sorry about your folicles disappointment i had the exact same issue and sounds like same amount of folicles as u. I also hate the "you only need 1" phrase too, yes but i might need 4 attempts before that 1!!! Your stimms are beinf upped and you have many more days for them to make a difference. I even had more growth from my trigger shot to EC day and ended up getting more eggs than they predicted so dont lose faith just yet!

@charja100 so sorry you're having such a shit time! As if you need all that crap on top of everything you are going through. Id agree sounds like u need to try get some time off if you can.

Oh @charja100 I am sending you a big virtual hug! Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. IVF aside caring for your mum along with work being as busy as it is can't be easy! How's she been doing since the stroke, do you have any other family that can help out? Regarding work, I totally feel you. Thats why I've disappeared from here a bit I'm so shattered all the time! I have a good team though, and it sounds like your mood hoover colleague is a real pain. Do they know about your IVF? Whether they do or not you can't be expected to juggle their negativity with everything else. I also completely get your comment 'I don't even have the energy to support myself' and im so sorry you feel overwhelmed. Is there anyway you can book a duvet day or a long weekend to have a small recharge? You're no1 priority right now, sod everyone else! Rant away, we all need to have them!!

@charja100 you can't support everyone and you need to be selfish in this. You need to take a break especially from the oversharer. Maybe try and draw some boundaries- it is work even though it sounds harsh .

I think getting signed off work is a good idea. It sounds like you need some head space to get yourself in the right frame of mind.

Don't ever apologise for ranting! You have to let it out somewhere

@MRSLMF I'm OK thank you, aside from work being chaotic 😅 I've just stress eaten a mars bar and chocolate cupcake and now I'm stressing even more that it will ruin the FET 🙈 need to get back into the IVF eating mindset but I've been so crap lately!

@Flowerlover010 ahh mine was completely unmedicated but maybe that's why it didn't work who knows, it was also a poor quality embryo but overall I loved the ease of the natural fet. Everything crossed this works for you this time :) this is one hell of a tough ride isn't it but we are all tougher and we will get there eventually :)
@VioletCookie oh enjoy your choc! I'm almost certain a little bit of what you fancy every now and again can't hurt, stress would be more damaging than some choc surely?! Also..... do the ivf gods not realise chocolate is like water to us women....absolutely necessary lol!

@MRSLMF I know right!! I was never really into chocolate until IVF, now I basically need a chocolate fondue drip to keep me going 🤣

@MRSLMF oh well i think im taking the pessaries because of 3 mc before so extra progesterone support but not sure really why the trigger shot is necessary! I might ask actually. Its hard to know which option is the best option isnt it!

Thanks so much ladies. I reached out for some help & support today to help me through it all. I really don't know what happened it was like I got hit by a bus and just alll got on top of me I was wondering if it was the meds? Has anyone else's for super emotional before a medicated FET?

I'm going to see how I feel and if I need it I'm definitely going to take the time. I've booked a couple of days off. Thanks for all helping me to realise that it's okay to do that if it's what I need 🙏🏼

P.S I ate all the chocolate today and I'm not even sorry. I think it's made me happier 🤣

We are all here for you @charja100 xx

@charja100 take all the time you need. I'm a few days behind you and I think the emotions are the mix of the medication and the situation. That's how I feel anyone.

I've got the day for my transfer now. Its all very real!

@Flowerlover010 when is transfer day? Mines tomorrow at 2:15 eek

@charja100 let yourself feel the emotions and take the time you need for yourself! This is your time, sod everyone else!

@Flower356 that's great news, do you mind me asking when it is? I'll keep everything crossed for you!

I'm having a big wobble today, work is driving my up the wall and all I can think of is I'll never get pregnant and will be stuck in this cycle of chaos forever!

@VioletCookie on Thursday. Thank you so much! It's such a mixed bag of feelings of excitement and worry but I'm glad we're finally here.

@VioletCookie thank you 🙏🏼

I'm sorry you're having a bad day... it's okay to have a bad day though ( she says having had a break down on Monday this week!)

You won't be stuck in this cycle forever. I know that it does feel like that some days though.

What's your update on next steps now?