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 ✨

@Sapphire91 Congratulations! :D

@TheBirdintheCave thank you!!

Congratulations @Sapphire91 😀 so pleased for you and wishing you well going forwards.

We had a chat and looked at finance etc last night and have decided to go for the FET next cycle. So we'll probably start in 10-12 days when my period arrives. Feeling a bit nervous but hopeful 🤞. I won't be on any drugs, just go for a scan at start of cycle then at day 8-10 to check dominant follicle developing. I will take a trigger injection and then start progesterone. Has anyone else done this style of FET before?

@SErunner It's what I'm currently doing :) I'm on CD13 at the moment and my next scan is on Friday.

Sorry @TheBirdintheCave I've lost track a bit with what everyone is up to! How are you feeling? Are you expecting to do the trigger soon? Guessing transfer will be sometime next week? Do you have many embryos in the freezer?

@SErunner I'm hoping they'll be happy for me to trigger at the weekend for a transfer next Friday but my normal ovulation is anything between CD16-21 so who knows 😅 Lead follicle was 11mm on Monday and they like to trigger when it's 18-20 I believe.

I have six embryos in the freezer 😊

@SErunner im also doing a natural transfer this month hopefully once my period arrives, Which I’m hoping will be in around 7 days or so, we may have similar timelines 😊

My clinic just goes off ovulation test and then scan to check lining is okay before transfer then take ovitrelle after ovulation three times (I believe it helps/improves outcomes?) I always thought this was only taken to induce ovulation but seems like they let us naturally ovulate first! Any other clinics do this?

Hi folks, nice to hear from you all.

@Troptolate I am so sorry to hear your news, this must have been so terrible. You’re in my thoughts and a wish you all the best over the coming days. I hope very much you can have all the comfort you need x

Good luck everyone gearing up for FETs. I am also currently awaiting CD1 and on CD2 I start progynova. Scan will be at day 10 (or either side of on a weekend.)

I am doing a medicated FET, as my clinic does not do transfers for FETs on a weekend and I was told if my LH surge wasn’t timed right I could end up having the cycle cancelled which would incur a cancellation fee. don’t know if anyone else has had this experience?

I’m a little miffed as I felt a bit backed into a corner - i didn’t want to potentially miss an opportunity this month so I agreed to a medicated FET.

im feeling a lot more myself this cycle, having been able to exercise a bit and do things that don’t involve thinking about ivf for a couple of weeks.

I haven’t really done anything special to prep - I’ve tried to keep up my relatively balanced diet, and have continued to limit myself to 1 caffeinated drink a day as I’ve realised it’s better for my sleep. what are peoples approaches to alcohol in between cycles? I gave up completely a month before the fresh cycle but have had a small beer here and there since the negative test last month. should probably stop altogether now I suppose.

Sorry @Sapphire91 congratulations! Very wonderful news x

@SErunner @Quickdraw23 thank you both ❤️

Really hoping your FET rounds go well for you!

@TheBirdintheCave will keep fingers crossed for you the timeline goes smoothly. 6 in the freezer is amazing! We just have this one so am feeling the pressure a bit, but staying hopeful.

@Ellenn no I haven't heard of using Ovitrelle in that way, just as a trigger. I used it as a trigger in my fresh cycle and will for the FET as well, as we're doing natural modified. I'm sure your clinic could talk you through/explain the evidence in more detail if that would help you?

@Quickdraw23 I can understand your frustration - that does seem a bit unfair. My clinic don't do transfers on Sundays but they haven't mentioned the potential timing issue. I think doing a natural modified gives a little control of dates as I will be controlling ovulation (unless it happens early spontaneously). It feels like there are still quite a lot of things to get to happen at the right time with an FET, even though you're not worrying about eggs!

I'm not a big drinker anyway (maybe something once every couple of weeks as part of a social, we don't drink at home). That said I had more than usual last week! I will stop alcohol completely now and never went back to caffeine after our first fresh cycle and pregnancy. I do have a decaf coffee and dark chocolate daily but enjoy them so am reluctant to stop that habit! Like you I'm glad to be exercising again and that I can do this more through the FET. I am trying to be more consistent with my multivitamin as I can be a bit hit and miss with that.

@SErunner the natural modified approach sounds very interesting! Really hope it goes well.

yes you’re totally right - lots of things to fall in line to make it to the other side of a transfer! And relying on biological processes outside of our control.

i think with little treats like a bit of dark chocolate here and there, if you cut everything like that out completely then you’re not going to feel yourself and it makes it harder to relax, (at least for me!)which in itself is.

the multivitamin with folic acid in is one thing I’ve managed to be pretty consistent about which is something. I too am looking forward to being able to do more physically as well. I feel very unfit at the moment!

Totally agree re little treats - still needs to be some enjoyment! I'm really pleased we've got our consent appt booked next week and all set to start the following week when my period arrives. So glad the clinic have been able to turn it round so quickly and glad to feel like we're moving forwards again.

@SErunner I hope that one is your one! 🤞🏻 Glad you've managed to get such a quick turn around. My clinic totally suck for that. I had to essentially catch them out in a lie to get them to let me transfer this cycle.

How folks, hope you’re all doing ok. I have started on FET meds and my lining scan is Monday.

I’m trying to keep calm, and almost not think about it, but as the scan gets closer it’s getting harder. I’m starting to feel more and more worried about it not working again. Which is a futile use of energy really as it’s not something I can control!

Morning all! I was just going to message on here too. Good news @Quickdraw23 👍 how you're feeling sounds totally logical. It's daunting putting yourself out there for what you know might just end up being more hurt. All fingers crossed this is the one for you. Have you had any lining issues or should this part go smoothly hopefully?

My period started today so we are also out the starting blocks! I'm not on any meds yet but will need to go for a scan in the next day or 2. Similar to you I'm glad we're starting but feel worried about it not working. Financially this is our last go for a while so that feels like a bit of added pressure.

Hope the rest of you are getting on okay 🤞

Well done you two. Keeping everything crossed for you. I'm a month behind as my clinic made me wait for 3 bleeds after miscarrisge but will be starting about a month from now. Keep us updated xx

@SErunner and @Quickdraw23 my period also started yesterday and nurses confirmed I can do a transfer finally this month!! Super excited. I’m doing a natural transfer so will probably be near start of august depending on when I ovulate! Nice to have some transfer buddies this month 😊

I've got my transfer tomorrow finally. so exciting for those starting their FET process. The days seemed to go by really quickly for me once they started the scans so hopefully it will for you guys too :D

Good luck @TheBirdintheCave !! 🤞🤞🤞 Keeping everything crossed for you.

And best of luck to those getting started again too. 🤞

Thankee :D It's at 4.20pm so a long way to go yet!

Embryo on board :D

@TheBirdintheCave 🎉🥳🤞🤞🤞

Great news @TheBirdintheCave! All fingers crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞

I had a stressful day yesterday - scan initially didn't look good as despite being day 2 I had a large dominant follicle, so they were thinking it wouldn't be a good month to go for as lining wouldn't thicken enough etc. but luckily bloods came back showing my oestrogen levels are just right for this stage of cycle. They think the follicle isn't active. So booked in for another scan next week and back to feeling hopeful!

@Ellenn great news you are going for transfer this cycle too! We will be roughly on the same timescales 😀 are you doing a completely natural cycle?

@SErunner I’ve got ovulation tests to take and once I’ve got a positive I get a scan a few days later to check ovulated and my lining. I think the only medication they give me is ovitrelle the day before transfer and after transfer as I think it can help improve positive rates. I’m going to ask if I can get progesterone though after transfer as I’ve had the two miscarriages (at fresh transfer was going to be getting both pessaries and lubion)

are you doing natural/medicated transfer? I hope your next scan goes well 🤞🤞🤞

@TheBirdintheCave I hope your embryo sticks around!! Are you going to be waiting until your official test date? I think for my transfer this time I’m not going to test early (famous last words 🙈)