IVF/ICSI/FET May 2023

[Sj2505]

Hi, I don't think there's a thread for May, not that I could find anyway.

I've just started Norethisterone to bring on AF ready for my FET. I had my ICSI cycle in Feb but was high risk for OHSS, so after retrieving 24 eggs, this clinic decided to freeze all.
Luckily, because I ended up very unwell with OHSS for around 6 weeks and ended up in hospital for a little while!

But I've recovered and soooo ready for my embabies! We're aiming for transfer week commencing 22nd May unless AF comes earlier than planned then it might be the week before. It's likely as I'm on CD46 with all the signs of imminent AF 🤞🏼

If anyone else is cycling in May please feel free to share the journey ✨

Good luck today @FrostedFlake 🤞🤞🤞

I'm so sorry @Marisadea. I hope the scan on Monday gives you more clarity and I hope you know what's happening soon so you can start to process properly.

@greentin it's definitely not greedy, I have a 22 month old. It's a different struggle to conceive a sibling, but it still means your family isn't how you pictured it. That is tough to deal with too. Are you considering another egg collection round? We've both agreed we will only do one more round of egg collection as financially we really can't manage more (especially with the news yesterday about interest rates, we renew our mortgage next year 😭) We also have the one in the freezer from this round.

My period started yesterday and like some of you have said, it's really quite painful. Not worryingly so but much more intense than usual. The final kick in the teeth from this round!

@greentin @SErunner same position here. Have a nearly 3yo, wondering if this is all the universe telling me that I should stop with one. I don't know whether to do a fresh or frozen cycle next, we have 4 frozen left but none of them are great quality. It's so hard.

Hi folks,

Apologies have been away recovering from norovirus after my BFN. So sorry to hear of your difficulties @Marisadea @greentin and so sorry about the bfn @SErunner.

i don’t think it is greedy to want a second child, and no one who can conceive unassisted would ever be considered greedy for having two children. It’s very easy to feel “greedy” when such investment of time and resources is required to have children. Hope those of you trying for the second baby can feel at least partly settled that it’s a totally normal, reasonable thing to want! It’s just not fair that it isn’t happening easily for you.

I have my follow up call with the clinic on Friday to discuss my next step - I have two embryos in the freezer, and starting to feel anxious that it isn’t enough! I suspect I won’t be able to do a FET until July now due to timings, so probably won’t have much interesting to share. I’ll be thinking of you all and hopefully will pop in here regularly to offer some moral support if helpful! Look after yourselves xxx

Thinking of you all, with either for BFP or BFNs. 💓

@Marisadea did you have a scan or another blood test yet? I have had two ectopics so here to talk if needed.

Thank you so much! Tomorrow I will have the scan and blood test done. Hope all is ok..

Went to the clinic today. It looks like everything came out through the bleeding and they could not see anything else in there so they presume it’s been a chemical. I did the blood test and waiting for results. They booked me in for psychological support appointment and after receiving the blood test results they will book me in for a follow up appointment.

What made them tell you it was ectopic @Marisadea ? I wish they hadn't scared you when it doesn't sound like there was evidence that it was? You didn't need that on top of all the sadness 😔 I'm glad you've got some follow up appointments booked.

We have an appointment with the clinic on Thursday, I've got a long list of questions.

I totally agree with you and the doctor apologised today… they presumed it was ectopic because the HCG levels didn’t drop enough in 2 days: Monday was 127 Wednesday 126.. So today I got the blood test done again and waiting for results. The doctor is confident enough that it is not extopic after the scan as there was nothing to see.

@Marisadea I am sorry that must have been a hard day, but I am sure a relief to know that nothing else needs to happen now. I hope you're doing ok. ❤️

Thank you so much ♥️

@Marisadea I'm really sorry you've been through all that added stress at an already difficult time. Glad you've got answers on it now.

Hope you're appt goes okay tomorrow @MaybeBabyTwo 🤞

I'm still feeling quite up and down about the failure of this cycle. I think it's hit me more than I was expecting and I keep swinging from being okay about it to crying again. Our appt isn't for a couple of weeks - it will be good to understand more about he FET process as we haven't done that before. I suspect they will want it to be a medicated cycle as my periods are very irregular?

@SErunner That sounds likely yes. I hope the time goes quickly for you :)

Hows everyone getting on now that time has passed a little? Hope you are all looking after yourselves.

I am gearing up to my FET after the freeze all, but my period seems to of gone AWOL! I did have the period directly after coming off the meds but this is my first natural one and is 10 days late. Anyone else had this post egg collection?

@KI19 Yeah I ovulated about a week later than I normally would have done. It's not unusual post egg collection apparently. I'm also getting ready for my first FET post freeze all :)

@KI19 and @TheBirdintheCave also in exact same board as you ladies! I’m hoping to have my first transfer after the freeze-all possibly end of this month. Totally dependent on when my cycles arrives though! I didn’t track at all the last month so no idea when I ovulated… if it’s a normal length I should be due this weekend but 🤷‍♀️ it probably won’t arrive and go awol like yours!! Are you guys doing medicated or natural?

*boat 🤣 silly autocorrect

@TheBirdintheCave @Ellenn ah great to have some FET buddies !

Im doing medicated so starting when my period arrives with the oestradiol tablets. How about you both? Are you doing any particular prep for your FET? I felt like I was so good before the egg collection, healthy eating, no drinking etc and have slipped back into my old ways a little!

Mine is a modified natural, so a natural cycle but with a trigger shot. I'm on CD12 today, next scan is Friday to see if the follicle is big enough for them to decide when to trigger and then transfer. I really hope it's ready as travelling 1.5 hours into London for a five minute appointment during a train strike has not been fun 😂

I'm not doing anything in particular to prepare for it just making sure I eat well and keep exercising to maximise blood flow for thickening the lining :)

Nice to hear from everyone again. Interested in reading and chatting about FETs. We have our consultation this afternoon to discuss next steps for us which will be an FET. I haven't done one before so am interested to see what they say.

@KI19 sorry your period is messing you around - such a pain! Hope it pitches up soon.

I haven't done much reading beyond the difference between natural/modified natural/medicated. I suspect they will want me to do a medicated cycle as my periods aren't that regular. Just interested in anything anyone has read on the different outcomes between the 3?

@SErunner My clinic said the outcomes aren't any better/worse whichever type you have. All they did say was that they had better results from FET than from fresh transfers.

Thanks @TheBirdintheCave that's really good to know your clinics view. Yes I've read previously the stats for FET are a bit better than fresh. I had read somewhere natural modified had the best outcomes of the FET approaches but presumably the approach will be dictated by your personal situation. I'll be interested to see what our consultant says.

Hey,
I was thinking of you all yesterday as we had our early pregnancy scan yesterday at the clinic.
She said it wasn’t measuring as it should be and there was no heartbeat either. I’m 7w5days now so i’ve had a missed miscarriage.
Have an NHS scan in 2 days and another next week after which they will let me know options on how to manage the miscarriage if it’s not happened naturally by then.
To say it was a shock is an understatement and all I did was burst into tears every hour yesterday but faring better today. Especially as at work and haven’t told anyone except sister and mum so no constant reminders or sympathetic looks which I prefer.
Hugging and appreciating my daughter (natural pregnancy) a lot more but so sad that she’s getting older and i’m unable to give her a sibling. 😔

Best of luck to all of you, you’re all in my thoughts and prayers x

@Troptolate I am so sorry. I was going to ask whether anyone had had their scans yet. I can't imagine the shock and upset, I hope you can have time and space to process. The distraction of work can definitely be helpful, but also important to give yourself time to grieve and feel sad.

We've had our consult and I was pleased he suggested a natural modified approach. His view was it has slightly favourable outcomes from a long term pregnancy perspective ie lower rates of pre-eclampsia etc, so should be used where possible. He's happy my cycles are regular enough for it to be a sensible option and was positive about our chances which was good to hear. Now just to try and scrape the money together again. Id like to go for it at the end of this cycle ideally but not sure we will be able to manage it from a money perspective. I have had a bit of a pity party again today feeling frustrated it's so unfair. I wish we didn't all to have to deal with this crap. The emotional, financial, logistical toll is so unending. Sending hugs to you all.

@Troptolate Sorry to hear that :( MMCs are really cruel.

@SErunner I'm glad they're going to go with natural modified! :D

I'm so sorry @Troptolate I've had this happen to me before too and it really is awful. Look after yourself ❤️

Sending good vibes to everyone getting ready to start their FET - I've seen lots of positive stats about FET compared to fresh transfers so hope they all go well for everyone!

We had our early scan this morning and everything measured as it should and we saw a heartbeat. Feeling very grateful & emotional this afternoon.