IVF Scotland - thread 5

[itsmschanandlerbong]

Hello, made a new thread for us Scots going through IVF, thread 5. Hoping this is the best thread yet for dreams coming true ❤️

Hi all sorry to butt in - hope you are all doing really well. @IVFlife hope you are doing ok - let’s us know when you feel ready.

we just starting our injections yesterday of our first cycle. Not really sure what to expect but feeling a little nervous.

can I ask if anyone’s partners came in with them on scan days where they measure progress? Is this something that’s a standard thing or do you go in yourself? Would like my partners to be included where he can but if it’s not something that’s usually done/not allowed then I don’t want him missing work to sit in the waiting room. Thanks x

@Sabrinafive Congrats on getting to the point of injections! When we first started TTC it was during covid so partners were only allowed in the building for egg collections, embryo transfers and viability scans (if you got a BFP). On my most recent cycle though I still didn't take partner in for any of the monitoring scans - its a lot of inconvenience to a partner with work etc and also really no point. The monitoring scans take 5-10 mins and I've never found them to be something I feel I need emotional support for or anything. Its really hard to know what others do as at my clinic you very rarely see other people in the waiting room (they seem very good at staggering patients which is great for privacy) but I don't think I've ever seen partners upstairs at GCRM where they do all the monitoring, only downstairs where they do egg collections / transfers.

Think its very much a personal choice. Neither my partner nor I have ever felt the need for her to be at monitoring scans. If you're wanting your partner there just phone your clinic and ask, I doubt there would be an issue. Some people ask for a chaperone for personal exams etc so its just the same as that really.

@Sabrinafive P.S. getting your partner to do your injections can be a way of making them feel involved. My partner did nearly all my injections :)

Hi @2mumlife thanks so much for the reply! I wasn’t sure if it was a thing that was usually done and didn’t want to tell him not to come if they usually did - it makes me feel a little better others don’t as I don’t think he needs subjected to the scans for the time being 🙈 he’s going to start giving me them tonight, I wanted to go a couple first myself to make sure I could remember the instructions and had the courage to give myself them! Hope you’re doing well x

Hi @Sabrinafive . Not sure what clinic you’re at but my husband has come to all my scans at GCRM. Agree that it’s not really necessary, he just wanted to come, and his work isn’t too far from the clinic so wasn’t a hassle.

@Sabrinafive Its really up to you as a couple if its something you'd like to do. I wouldn't let what others do put you off if he wants to be there. Its quite sweet really, and I can understand it might help some partners feel more involved.

My partner has come to all my scans. Which is good as sometimes we've got bad news there before.

I'm so upset about what's happened to us this past week. It's a situation that's apparently never happened before so I can't really talk about it as much as I would love to. Because you guys would probably understand the most! Over the next few weeks our situation should become clearer and depending on what the outcome is I might be able to share more then.

For now I'm currently bleeding heavily with all the lining I had built up for transfer which I can't believe I'm doing for a 2nd time. The energy that went into building this lining with meds, pom juice, Brazil nuts, 10k steps a day etc etc etc all gone. I'm feeling pretty dizzy and miserable.

@IVFlife Its so good to hear from you. I'm so sorry your in the position again of not being able to do a transfer. You really deserved a straight forward cycle this time. I hope your being taken care of and really embracing some self care.

I'm making a guess here, but did your egg donor withdraw consent?

I hope whatever has happened that you're able to get some clarity on the situation soon.

Thank you x

Thankfully not withdrawn consent. We have 5 beautiful embryos. Some top graded. We are hoping so much we will be able to use them. It's crazy that this is a position we dreamed of being in and now we can't fully celebrate that. We are trying to stay hopeful. But it's really difficult it's been such a rollercoaster that it's hard not to expect negative things.

I'll send you a message.

@IVFlife Its amazing news you have 5 embryos, I'm sorry what should have been a celebration has been tarnished with uncertainty. Hopefully you get answers soon and go get ahead with transfer x

Thanks all for the advice, I’ll maybe let my partner decide if he wants to come in with me then but he’s definitely wanting to come to the appointments even to sit in the waiting room for me. Could I be a pest and ask if there were any foods/drinks you felt benefited you during stims for ER? And anything you took afterwards for all the different milestones? I feel like my brain is so foggy trying to keep up with what has been highlighted by everyone.

@IVFlife I’m really so sorry to hear what a hard time you’re going through and it’s rubbish we can’t help much but know we’re here to chat if and when you need to - take care of yourself xx

So good to hear from you @IVFlife . Been thinking about you. Hope you’re ok whatever the outcome 😘.
@Sabrinafive , I think it’s completely personal choice. My husband has come
to all my appointments and has come in to my scans and both transfers. I think it is mainly because our clinic is so far away so we end up making a day out of it otherwise it’s a long journey for 10 minutes. The nurse just invited him in each time so we just went with that.

Its transfer day - I’m so nervous (and excited)!!!!!!!

@JulesIVF Good luck!

@JulesIVF good luck!! will be thinking of you 💕 xx

Yay @JulesIVF here we go! Toasty feet and good vibes!

Thank youuu! Our embryos are on board 🥰. Off to McDonald’s 😂🤞🏻.

@JulesIVF get those salty chips..it really does work!! Happy transfer day 💕

@JulesIVF yay. Enjoy those fries.

Been feeling really low the last 24 hours. Partly circumstances and partly hormones. The bleeding is also very heavy and I'm feeling lightheaded and look pale..I've put on an estrogen patch today (my normal hrt). I slept for only 1 hour last night as kept crying. I'm hoping I feel a shift in mood soon.

@IVFlife In sorry you’ve been feeling so low but its totally understandable- you’ve been through so much emotionally and physically. Hope you’re able to do some things you enjoy this weekend x

Hello everyone! 👋 VERY pleased to find this thread! My period has just started, so feeling a bit emotional… but I just had a referral letter for IVF at ninewells, which is great, but I thought I’d been referred from Forth Valley the beginning of December? I think I maybe just need to call on Monday, but how long did everyone wait between getting referred, getting their letter then actually having an appointment? I feel like l’ve spent the last few years in limbo, the thought I might have to wait an extra 3 months is exhausting (which feels stupid because we’ve waited so long already!!). Thank you!!!

@Hep1989 Hello! Welcome to the thread. I’m local to you :) sorry I can’t help with your question though, we went private through gcrm but others have been able to go the nhs route. I think the wait can be quite awhile….

@IVFlife sorry to hear you’re struggling. Really hope your situation is resolved in time for your next cycle ❤️🤞🏻.
Have the clinic asked you not to speak about it? If so that must make it even more difficult to process. I know personally that talking to friends/family who haven’t been through this is hard cause whilst they are so supportive they just don’t understand the same way.

@Hep1989 hey, there’s a fb page called Glasgow IVF & ICSI Support Group which might be helpful as well 😊. Appreciate you’re not in glasgow, but there’s a bunch of people at Ninewells etc as well.