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 ❤️

So another update from me after my bloods at 9dp5dt were 55, i repeated them on Wednesday at 15dp5dt and they came back as 489 so definitely doubling. I can’t help but compare myself to other people though as everyone seems to get much higher numbers than this which is making me anxious. My clinic aren’t being helpful as they said they don’t do bloods and can’t advise on it (I know seems crazy that they can’t - I mean they made the embryo and put it in me!!) I’ve got another 13 days until my scan at 7 weeks so just taking a day at time….

how is everyone else getting on? @Kamiros hope you haven’t had any other scares, when is your next scan?

@Ellenn The increasing numbers is positive but I know how hard this is, I'm terrified every day and I've had 2 scans now. Scan yesterday showed everything in the right place, heartbeat etc but baby is measuring a week behind. Sonographer wasn't worried and neither was Spain when I contacted them today but I'm just so scared all the time. Had some bleeding today too but I think its from the internal scan, she was a little rough. Can you book a private scan to put your mind at ease at all?

@Kamiros this wait is probably as bad as the 2WW 😢 I’m still too early for scan as I’m only 5+1 wks. I will do a clearblue at weekend as levels should be high enough to get 3+ by then if continuing to double🤞

it seems it is quite common to measure differently when you are so early and I suppose they are so tiny at this stage as well. I hope it stays all cozy, bleeding is so triggering though isn’t it xx

@Ellenn Ah ok, of course. They made me wait to 6 weeks too. It's so much worse than the 2-week wait.
I think just need to take it day at a time and see what happens, my anxiety is through the roof though, i may need to look at some help for that.
Thinking of you and hope all goes OK xx

@Kamiros , understandable you're anxious but very good news that neither the EPU nor Spain are concerned. I've heard woman say they bled after 6 week scan, and it's not a sign at all of anything wrong. Hoping you have a few less anxious moments this weekend x

@Ellenn its really good to hear your numbers are increasing and it’s not too long till your scan too. The wait is horrible I know. Keeping everything crossed that your scan goes well. xx

@Kamiros hope you are doing well. Glad you have had a second scan and it’s all good just now. If they weren’t worried about the size then you shouldn’t be. I heard it’s super common. I’m hoping for you so much that you get past the difficult 12week stage and you can be more relaxed. xxx

I’ve just started my period today on the date it was due. However, I’m really confused as the NHS aren’t seeing me until the 28th for a scan and they will give my stim injections to take away. Is this not unusually late to start stims, as I would be day 9 in my cycle. Thought they usually started around day 2. I’m worried there has been a mix up with appointments. Has anyone else had to wait this long?

@Kitty12345678 what protocol are you? I've never done a long protocol but I don't think it's unusual to have your prostrap later in your cycle. But if you're a short protocol then I would definitely question that because one of the meds you take is to stop you from ovulating and so I think you would need to start it earlier.

@itsmschanandlerbong I’m on the long protocol (protocol 9) I’ve had the Prostap already on the 10th. So had my period came today on day 29, as expected but I’m unsure about starting stims, as late as 9days after period. I’d expect they need to start growing the follicles, as soon as the period has ended. I’ll give them a phone, as they explained very little at the Prostap appointment. Thanks x

How is everyone getting on?

@Kamiros hope everything has calmed down and still looking good x

@Kitty12345678 have you started your cycle? Hope it all goes well!

im still hanging in waiting for my first scan on Thursday eek

@Ellenn That's come round quick, so excited for you.

I seem to be ok so far, just worried every day still. I'll be 9 weeks on Wednesday and have my booking in appointment this week which is exciting.

@Kamiros From what I can see on the recent chat, massive congratulations!!! I hope everything is still going well. Was this a go with the Spanish donor route again? How are you feeling?

We’ve finally taken the plunge and booked in an ovarian assessment and consultation in September to see about trying for a sibling. We’ve only got 2 frosties so we’ll see how it goes 🤞

@2mumlife Thank you, seems to be ok so far though obviously I'm not going to be confident until that 12 week scan. It was our 4th transfer with donor eggs and we had lots of different immune protocols thrown at it. Not sure what exactly did it but we're not questioning it too much.
Oh thats exciting, hopefully one of those two will be the one for you.

@Kamiros so exciting! Is your next scan at 12 wks? I wasn’t going to phone and register unless my scan goes ok ….. we will see

@Ellenn Yes 12+2 it is. I was back and forward about that but it helped to be registered when I had to go to EPU with the bleeding. I can see why you'd want to wait too though.

@Kamiros yes definitely I think if I’d had bleeding I would of definitely phoned as they were nice last time. I’ve only got a few more days to see if it’s all ok or not so will wait it out! Worried my symptoms just are so on/off sure that’s normal but every little thing makes you worry!

@Kamiros Im so pleased for you! I’ll keep everything crossed for a positive 12 week scan, it’s been a long journey but great it’s all
looking so hopeful with this one!

Yes I’m still not sure how I feel about doing any more egg collections but we’re just going one step at a time just now. It feels very different this time around as I feel so lucky to have had success already. Also feeling a bit funny about GCRM after the scandal but we’ve decided to still stay with them

@Ellenn Oh it really is. I was worried about cramping, then I had none one day and was worried about that. It's all a worry, but day at a time.

@2mumlife Yes, I get that. I've mixed feelings about GCRM but I think overall they're no better or worse than anywhere else and the staff are lovely; plus you've already had success there. Yes, see how you get on, no need for decisions yet. xx

@2mumlife lovely to see you, can't believe you're thinking about a sibling already, how nice! What's the GCRM scandal?! I've missed it.

Hi @2mumlife , we're about to begin our sibling round too. Whole mix of emotions!

Glad everything is still ok @Kamiros and @Ellenn!

@Kitty12345678 how are you getting on?

We had an appointment to go over our consents again yesterday, and good to start stims next cycle which should be in around 1 week! Feeling a whole mix of emotions about going again. Mainly fear ... with a little bit of hope and excitement thrown in 😂

Unfortunately my scan today didn’t go to plan and it wasn’t a viable pregnancy 😭😭😭 and to make matters worse I won’t be able to do another transfer until January now (apparently clinic waiting times) How do people deal with this massive waiting between treatments? I feel if it was a bit closer it would give me something to try and pull myself together and look forward to. It just feels impossibly far away right now

I am so so sorry @Ellenn 😢😢 it's so hard. I wasnt as far along as you, but had a chemical after my first cycle and it was devastating. I took a bit of time off work and just tried to focus on myself and healing. It's awful, sending you big huge hugs xx

@itsmschanandlerbong so sorry to hear about yours too 😢 miscarriages are awful I never realised what it was like until doing ivf treatments.

This is now my 3rd transfer and I’ve miscarried every one. The clinic said I can now get miscarriage bloods done but didn’t really say much else? Anyone got any ideas for further testing which could be done? Like is it my uterus or our embryos?! The nurse didn’t really have any answers apart from the miscarriage bloods.

all embryos graded 5AA and implanted, the first one miscarried 5 wks, then next at 6.5 wks afte rheartbeat scan. This one looks like stopped at around 6 wks. I just wish we had answers but so do we all! And that I can do a transfer asap as it’s frustrating having to wait until January

@Ellenn I'm so so sorry to hear this. Thinking of you. Have you had any immune testing done? NK cells, thyroid antibodies etc?

@Kamiros i haven’t done this - unsure exactly what the ‘miscarrriage bloods’ cover that the nurse mentioned this morning. Can you get these tests on the NHS or is it via privately usually?

I think they'll probably do some immune testing as part of the bloods now you've had 3. Awful that you had to go through that first, I'm so sorry. I had a biopsy for immune testing but I think it tests the same thing. My friend had her testing done on NHS after multiple losses, I think she paid for some of the treatment on e they identifed the problem but I'm not sure- I'll ask. Make sure you take some time for yourself now though xx