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 ❤️

@IVFlife great to hear you got good news!

I just got good news from my test of cure too,no bad cells and no hpv even. Can't quite believe it. Desperate for this to mean I can try book before this period is due but just waiting on the nurse's line callback.

Does anyone have an email address for Glasgow royal fertility clinic (nhs side of things?) I had one for a specific nurse but she must have left, looking for a general one to send in proof of cure...

Hope those early pregnancies are starting to be enjoyed!

Eurgh never mind. Just found out they're in shutdown.

Shutdown?? What does that mean? And for how long? How frustrating. Glad to hear your good results too

@IVFlife hah, that's what me and my partner have been left asking. Apparently for a "deep clean". She seemed to be saying it was for my protocol in particular. I wasn't in the right mind to ask questions tbh I was processing the utter disappointment. Was so so excited to try book.

@Nosejug This “shutdown” sounds intriguing? Great to hear you’ve got the all clear. I think I missed what happened to you. Ages ago now I had a LLETZ procedure due to precancerous cervical changes but sounds like you’ve been treated for something that had progressed a bit further? Hope you’re ok now. It’s worth being aware that I’ve had to have my cervix length monitored both pregnancies, as whilst NHS guidelines are to monitor after 2 x LLETZ procedures my fertility consultant was concerned my cervix was shorter. It was a bit shorter with DD but not in the danger range (no need for a cervical stitch or anything) and so far with this pregnancy been normal. Had to have extra scans to check cervix length and that cervix wasn’t opening between 14-22 weeks (roughly) was every 2 weeks with DD and every 4 weeks this time.

@Nosejug sorry to butt in, but the lab closes every year for 2 weeks around May and December for a deep clean.

@itsmschanandlerbong That’s interesting they shut completely. Must really interrupt things!

@2mumlife they are still open for scans, bloods and consultations but they can't do egg collections or transfers. We got caught by it last year which was annoying!

@itsmschanandlerbong I've been told they open again late June! Two weeks would be much better news.

@2mumlife yeah they gave me all the warnings regarding cervical stitch and late term problems. They had to remove a 1/4 of the cervix so I guess it was quite a lot in one go. He cut an artery by accident without knowing, soldered it up and two weeks later it burst (on Halloween). Needless to say it was traumatic. 4 blood transfusions while they tried so stabilise. Praise to all the donors! Just so glad I don't have to have another.

@Nosejug Oh geez, poor you. I also had some bleeding afterwards, but same day I was discharged. I kept passing out every time I stood up and needed packing over night but no blood transfusions or anything like that. It must have been really scary for you, particularly happening after a delay. So pleased that you’re ok. I’ve been absolutely fine during my DDs pregnancy, they didn’t need to do anything, but understand what you’ve been through has been much more extensive. Hopefully though things will all be ok. My DP has a colleagues whose little girl was born at something like 26 weeks or so (can’t remember exactly) due to an unknown weak cervix and she’s doing brilliantly x

@2mumlife heh yeah, I mean I'll be delighted to even just get pregnant! From this side it feels so unlikely that the cervix worries just aren't plaguing me. And yes, it was terrifying. Found out I am not a fan of morphine hah.

Hi everyone so sorry to butt in but @itsmschanandlerbong @Nosejug is it GRI that are closed right now??? I was told by others it was every July (which I think would be our transfer month so I was panicking it would be cancelled…) I am waiting on my period starting again so I can try and book an FET. We only ended up with 1 Frostie after 11 were collected, waiting on our consultant appointment which is two weeks to tell us how the FET process will work so if anyone has previously gone through one and can share their experiences I’d be really grateful! Been told in a letter I’ll be on medicated FET with patched and viagra?

@Sabrinafive Yeah GRI. When you phone to book in it actually takes 2 cycles. Last year when I tried to phone around this time I didn't get booked in because the shut down was in June, if that makes sense.

Hello everyone. Hope the gri shutdown isn't too disruptive to those affected.

I've got to go and do a chlamydia test tomorrow as mine has timed out! We completed our FET forms last night. Basically if they are happy with forms then I think once my test comes back we should be good to go. I'm hoping to go this cycle. Does anyone have any thoughts on embryo glue? We initially said yes but are now on the fence. It's free at our clinic and I have no issue using it if it either makes no diff or might help but don't want to use it if it could be worse

@Sabrinafive ive had a few medicated FETs but at GCRM. My protocol has always been fyremadel injections starting day or two after period starts (think it’s 7 days if those) with estradiol tablets starting at the same time (which you just keep taking until your OTD / 12 weeks pregnant). Then scans to check lining thickness, at the point lining looks good then starts progesterone (7 days of Lubion injections and cyclogest which starts at same time and continues until OTD / 12 weeks pregnant). Transfer is day 6 of your Lubion injections for a 5 day blast.

@IVFlife Amazing to hear you can finally go! We didn’t use embryo glue on my failed fresh transfer or FET that ended in a chemical pregnancy. We used it on both of my success FETs. I don’t know if it made any difference or not, but I would say it’s worth saying yes if you don’t have to pay an extra (ours was included in price as well)

hi @2mumlife oh gosh I hope we aren’t to come in straight away because we were told we’d phone on day 1 of cycle and if we got in we’d have an appointment on day 21 again so we booked a bloody holiday for end of next week and will still be away when my period starts (if it’s on time)

@IVFlife we used embryo glue, transferred two grade A embryos, and only one stuck. I know that doesn’t help with your question but I’m not convinced that it works, but don’t think it causes any harm either. I say go for it if it’s free (we had to pay £200!!!!)

@IVFlife so great you're so close to transfer after all that waiting!

@Sabrinafive if I were you I'd call them and ask to confirm the times for you. I've had different information from two staff. The confusion is because they stagger the closures (and reopenings) across protocols so it will be different for different people. Also, if it's so to do with protocols, maybe that doesn't affect other procedures? Best to just call and get the intel. I'm still not sure which dates are right for me.

@Sabrinafive You might be doing northestrone (don’t think that’s spelt right) so they can control when your period starts. It’s a contraceptive and they will leave you on it for a bit then ask you to stop and they’d expect your period to start within a couple of days of stopping. I had that once. It can be useful if you are irregular / the clinic want better control over when to start your cycle

Thanks all, yes I think I’ll call to try and get some info.. we’ve had to wait until the 16th may (6 weeks after our collection) for the consultatant to call us and tell us what’s going to happen/what they’re going to do so we’re just totally in the dark atm apart from the letter saying we’d do a medicated cycle…really appreciate all the advice on here <3

@Sabrinafive Hopefully you can get some clarity :)

Eep, wondering if anyone could give me advice. I've been offered a job (I'm newish to building a freelance career in film/tv, so work job to job). I've been offered something good starting in June (near London, for 6.5 weeks). But it coincides with when i can start booking for treatment. I will 100% choose ivf over work. I'm long protocol but really don't understand what that means.

Pretending I get booked in on first try, does long protocol mean booking the cycle prior to treatment, and letting them take control of ovaries later that cycle, then having a period and then starting stims? So technically two periods after booking? We took notes but the nurse said to stop and that she'd send us info but she never did...

Sorry I'm not being clear, the advice request is whether it's feasible to do both job and ivf, or is long protocol an emotionally difficult time whatever the length bc of drugs? I've vaguely hinted I might not be able to do it bc of nhs treatment, but she's waiting on my coming back to her with more details on availability. Which i really don't know.