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 ❤️

@Nosejug wbat amazing results! Keeping everything crossed for those 3 little embryos!!

@Ellenn last time I had bloods every 2-3 days from day 10 to identify ovulation then just transfer booked 5d later with inj ovitrelle on day to boost progesterone.
now it’s baseline scan, ovulation sticks at home and scans from day 10 to track lead follicle. Trigger injection and transfer 6 days later and now has progesterone pessaries. So totally different which has me worried as I’d be happier doing what worked previously

Thank you everyone 😊

@Nosejug that's great! Have you asked for a day 3 update? You can phone to check in if you would like.

Huge congrats @LT103!

@Ellenn I was Glasgow area but was advised for both pregnancies that I shouldn't go over my due date.

@Ellenn @2mumlife im about to transfer to Forth valley and was already curious what their position wound be RE inducing so I’m glad to see your post. It’s actually closer to us but due to post code we are currently Queen Elizabeth.
I do think ultimately it’s our choice. I’m sure QEUH consultant said 39 weeks to me and I said I wouldn’t be happy to do that and she didn’t really push further, but will see what happens once we transfer over 😬. Of course if any issues were to arise I would do it but also had a straightforward pregnancy and only red pathway due to IVF which was for male factor issues. I’m 20 weeks now and plan to transfer after our scan on Thursday.

Also, I’ve just paid my deposit to have my placenta encapsulated 😂. Has anyone else done or plan to do this?

@JulesIVF ive been told by midwife they advise 40 wks although I’m going to decline unless there is a medical reason/something happens I think. Just the ways the midwife phrased it was ‘I will let you have that battle with the consultant’ which has made me a bit apprehensive of why they wouldn’t let me decide. I currently have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and been told as it’s my first will highly likely go past 40 wk mark and I would really avoid having a medicalised birth if possible. I just want to try and do one think more naturally since we failed at the conceiving part 🤣

Never heard of encapsulating placenta - why do you do this?

@itsmschanandlerbong were you advised not to go over only because it was an ivf baby? I was looking into the research on this specifically and wasn’t convinced there was enough evidence to choose induction vs spontaneous labour. I think if I reached 41 wks I would definitely accept their induction though as wouldn’t want to increase stillbirth risk.

@LT103 interesting how clinics differ so much in protocols! My natural cycle was only ovulation sticks, one scan 4 days after positive ovulation to check lining and then transfer 7 days after positive ovulation! I also got ovitrelle to take after ovulation as it apparenltly helps you lining and improves implantation 🤷‍♀️ I think the fact protocols are all so different probably means their isn’t a best one! I totally get it the apprehension when it’s different though as you just want to stick with what worked the first time!

@Ellenn please do let me know how the convo with the consultant goes as from memory I think you’re a good 7 weeks or so ahead of me 😊. I feel the same, I want to avoid it being medicalised as far as possible as well.

This is the company I’m using and they have some benefits listed on their page, they are full of nutrients having kept our babies alive all that time. If I overthink it, it does creep me out a bit lol. They have an option for a placenta smoothie, where a walnut size of raw placenta is mixed with fruit, and that tips me over the edge 😂. I have a balm and a baby bum cream being made as well:

https://www.placentapractice.co.uk/benefits/

Yes, advised in both pregnancies. First pregnancy was due to IVF alone, I had no other risk factors. Second pregnancy was due to IVF and previous c section. The consultant told me there is slightly more of a risk of the placenta deteriorating earlier in IVF pregnancies but this could be because there may be female reproductive health issues leading to the IVF in the first place, or it might be because some women who have IVF pregnancies are older. Both of which could impact placenta functioning. There doesn't appear to be research indicating this for certain. Like everything, it's down to personal choice and weighing up the risks for yourself 😊

@itsmschanandlerbong on embryo day three just now pacing around the house trying to be useful but failing. I didn't consider the option that I could just call them, but some magical thinking part of my brain doesn't want to influence the outcome. The thing is, do they call you by, say, 10:30, or will I be this pacing fluttery presence all day. Maybe I'll call them after 11. Presumably it'll be good news if I haven't heard anything by then (pleaaaassssssee).

I had a dream last night the hospital gave me my three embryos to take home and look after a la 'flour baby'.

@JulesIVF my German friend's mum planted his placenta in the ground and grew a tree on top of it. I like the witchiness of the idea! I'm not sure I could handle handling it though lol. I've heard it can make a useful donation in the form of cord blood which I'd be keen to do since my life was saved by (general) blood donors. I think it's cool you're considering using it! I'll look at the company of if I ever get pregnant :)

@Ellenn i had the combination of ivf, being over 40 and having what looked like a large baby (96/98th percentile up until near the end). I was advised either induction at 38 weeks or section at 39. For various reasons and after discussing it with the consultant at gcrm to get their input, i opted for a planned section which was done at 39+4.
I was told by nhs consultant all along that these were just their recommendations and I had the option to ignore them but they explained the risks in doing so.
it took me until about 36 weeks to decide but I felt happy with my choice in the end. I guess it’s about being well informed as to why they are recommending these things so you can make the correct choice for you. I never felt pressured into any decision and they gave me time to decide what I felt was best.

Sorry it was @JulesIVF who was asking about induction

@ellen Yes I’m Forth Valley. You do NOT have to be induced unless YOU choose to!!! It’s their policy to induce IVF pregnancies at 40 weeks, but as with everything maternity related - YOU have consent over what happens to your body. They cannot “tell” you what to do - you are an adult who they can advise, but all medical decisions are yours. I had Dr Wilson as my consultant, made it very clear I was not interested in induction unless any of my growth scans etc suggested it was medically necessary! He was quite supportive. I declined all interventions (no sweeps, no inductions). Went into labour naturally, laboured with TENS machine, birth pool and gas+air in the alongside midwifery unit. I had a long pushing stage and was advised to go for a job-emergency forceps delivery, at which point I accepted pain relief as had to wait without pushing during contractions until theatre was clear. DD was born via forceps. By their calculations my DD was born at 41 weeks but they also gave me an earlier due date than my IVF due date at the 12 week scan 🤦‍♀️ so she was only a couple of days late.

Ive got Dr Wilson again as my consultant this time around, which is easier as he knows my views 😂 and I’m currently planning a home birth this time. He’s said no medical objection, on the caveat growth scans etc are all ok. My 28 weeks growth scan on Thursday puts this baby at an estimated 1.3kg which is same as my DD was at this stage, and she’s was 8lbs 7oz, so no concerns that there are any growth issue, so we’re proceeding on the plan of a home birth 🤞🤞🤞 Nothing against the hospital, I just found transferring to hospital mid labour and having to wait for a room with birth pool etc was really disruptive to the flow of labou and slowed things down, and I’d rather be in my own bed after birth and not separated from my DD and partner after birth.

@ivf24 DO NOT let a medical professional say what you are “allowed” so do. It’s is your body. You have to give consent. Very much listen to their medical advise and reasoning but it’s still your choice to make a decision.

Sorry, I really really hate the rhetoric around pregnant women from medical professionals suggesting that you don’t have a choice and they make decisions. That is not consent. There is a good book called “give birth like a feminist” id recommend - didn’t agree with all of it, but it does look at why birth/pregnancy is a feminist issue and is very interesting. There is also something called the BRAIN decision making tool which is good: https://www.quiltedhealth.com/care/resources/brain-decision-making-in-labor#

Also would recommend using good research informed sites to help you make decisions, this one is a good place to start: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/

@JulesIVF See above about Forth Valley. I would say as a caveat - my only “risk” factor is IVF pregnancy, which we only did as needed donor sperm. Technically I don’t have a fertility issue (though responded poorly to stims and medicated IUI didn’t work, so I don’t suspect my fertility is actually that great). I was 34 when I had DD, have a normal bmi, don’t smoke, no medical issues apart from short cervix, which has been fine both pregnancies. I had an uncomplicated pregnancy (apart from a SCH in first trimester), zero issues with babies growth trajectory. So literally nothing at all to suggest there was any medical reason with me and my baby to indicate any risk of waiting for labour to start naturally. I was offered weekly growth scans after 40 weeks as I declined induction, and did say I would be willing to discuss induction again if we were approaching 42 weeks with no sign of labour

Ingesting my own placenta didn’t appeal to me 😂 but I did ask to look at it after birth as I was curious to see the organ I’d grown. I’d be more interesting in saving the cord blood (but haven’t done it)

Just to follow up - I believe all birth choices are absolutely valid, just that they should be done because you choose to, not because you feel you have been “told” or “allowed”. As long you are giving your fully informed consent, whatever you choose to do is right for you - but it’s your choice :)

@Nosejug did you get an update? Keeping everything crossed for you!

Sorry I'm a bit behind in messages. I'm filled with anxiety. Right now is the closest we've got with ivf and I'm due to have transfer tomorrow morning. Any tips?

Honestly terrified something will go wrong and we will be cancelled again.

Aw @IVFlife very best of luck to you tomorrow. I’m finding it hard to focus my brain on anything else but dividing cells, which won’t be helpful on my first day at new job tomorrow..! But I will leave some space to keep you in my thoughts.

@itsmschanandlerbong thanks for your good wishes! They are very much appreciated :) Of our three embryos, two have 8 cells and one has four. One of the 8s is graded 4/8, one is 5/8 the four is 6/8. She says it’s still doing what it should but is just a little behind. And the fragmentation could get better (or worse of course). It blows my mind that I can know this. Wish I could watch it all happening.

@nosejug thank you.

What clinic are you at? We got a video of ours dividing once they were blastocysts.

Hope they continue to grow. It's so amazing isn't it

@IVFlife We’re at GRI. Will be Tuesday for us if there is a day. Is it the morning for you? Wow a video! I’m assuming the nhs won’t cover that but I’d love to see them. Thanks for your well wishes :)

@2mumlife thanks for sharing your birth story, really good to hear! Also have been reading the evidence based birth and really like how they explain everything. Will have a look at the book you suggested!

I definitely feel very strongly that I would like to avoid induction (and anything associated like sweeps etc) if at all possible unless a medical issue happens of course. So far we have been lucky and had a really smooth pregnancy and I’m still young, so only risk factor would be using ivf and reading the research I’m not fully convinced the basis for blanket induction is justified tbh.

I wish I was brave to have a homebirth as that would definitely be my first choice but I suppose not having laboured before and no idea what to expect don’t want anything to go wrong! I’ve got a friend who is a doula who has kindly offered to come and be with me for early stages of labour in the hope I can stay at home for as long as I can hold out for 🤞

of course all my plans may go out the window! Are you a couple of weeks ahead of me now? I’m 28 wks today but on holiday so growth scan isn’t until 30 wks!

@Nosejug great news they are all going strong 💪 are you aiming for day 5 fresh transfer? You are going to be PUPO before you know it hopefully!!!

@IVFlife i hope your transfer all goes smoothly! Is your appointment early? This is your time!! ❤️

Oh hah @Ellenn I had to look up PUPO. I like it! Yes all fingers crossed here. Yes all going well that's the plan. I'm not sure there would be a different option for me!
And good luck this morning @IVFlife

Ah yes gri don't do it. Tbf gcrm charge for it now! Used to be free.

When is your next update?

I'm this morning. Just about to go for a walk and listen to the mindful ivf podcast for transfer day. Highly recommend. Makes me calm. I think you're meant to listen while sitting calmly breathing but walking works best for me

@IVFlife Hope everything goes well with transfer today. Try to remain positive. My personal advice for the TWW is to avoid testing early (it doesn't help - if its negative you'll worry, if its positive you'll worry. Better to just wait until OTD and see). Hope you've been able to do something nice and relaxing after transfer

@Nosejug That's amazing day 3 update! I do really think sometimes less is more - I always got low number of eggs collected, but we've always done well. Out of 8 mature eggs over 2 egg collections, we got 5 useable day 5 embryos. Remaining 3 were discarded on day 6 as didn't look good enough to freeze.

@IVFlife @Nosejug That's interesting about GCRM - we never got a video/images etc from them of embryos ever! and were paying private. Never even given the option.

@Ellenn No problem sharing. We're very close! as I'll be 29 weeks on Wednesday (by IVF due dates). I was also unconvinced there was any good evidence base for inducing 'just because' of IVF. I also liked the idea of home birth last time, but also super similar thoughts to you, that I'd never laboured before and I felt it would cause less anxiety to be in the hospital just in case. I had hopes for a drug-free labour, but also was open to using drugs if I went into labour and realised I needed it! I went into DDs labour with an idea of what I wanted but with the expectation of being flexible depending on what I felt I needed in the moment / medical need. Even with planning a home birth, they have said there is no guarantee staff will be available, and that I could be told no one is available to attend if the labour ward is busy and advised to come into the labour ward as the safer option on the day. I'm also flexible with the idea that if I go into labour and feel I want to transfer to the hospital that its ok.

@2mumlife they didn't ever offer them to us we had to ask - I only did cos I saw others

We have had our transfer. I have a tiny embryo inside that thawed well and was hatching before transfer.

Transfer itself was traumatic. They found it very complicated to get the catheter in. I feel so so shakey now.

@IVFlife sorry to hear it was traumatic, I found my transfers quite painful as well. We ended up going out for lunch afterwards to try and forget what happened, and then just chilling/relaxing. Important thing is the embryo is now in the right place hopefully getting very cozy ❤️ xx

Yay @IVFlife ! Sorry to hear it was traumatic but so happy for you that it happened! Hope you don’t find the TWW too bad!