IVF/ICSI June 2023

[countrypunk]

Hello, I'm starting a June thread for IVFers - I couldn't see one on the board. Please join!

I'm 39 and this will be our second round. The first round in November resulted in 2 blastocysts from 10 eggs. First transfer failed, got pregnant from the second transfer but miscarried at 9.5 weeks at the beginning of April.

Now raring to go again!

@Ladyluck001 so is it next months you’re doing the natural FET cycle? Hope it goes smoothly for you! It must be nice when it works and you don’t have to take any medication 😊

So I’m having my egg collection on Monday morning yay. Had a scan yesterday to see how the eggs are doing. Got 14 follicles at a good size and well ready for collection. I had 14 eggs last time so it’s be funny if it was the same again. So trigger tonight.
what’s interesting is that’s the guidelines re OH’s sperm sample have changed. Last time (August 2022) they said abstain for a few days before producing the sample on EC day. This year they said they found it’s better when the sperm is fresher so they said he has to ejaculate on trigger day, so today, and the day after, so tomorrow, and then produced his sample on Monday. I was like wow 😮 I have to jab myself, swell up and suffer and he just gets to have fun all weekend 🤦‍♀️😂

@Honeybunie oh Monday! Exciting - good luck with the trigger, it’s so nerve wracking making sure you get it right. 14 follicles is a great number - wishing you all the luck for a successful egg collection! Funny about your OH having fun all weekend. Mine was thrilled when the consultant advised right at the beginning, ejaculation every other day throughout!

About the NHS rounds - my clinic advised we’d get one funded fresh and one funded frozen if that was unsuccessful. So feeling the pressure with this natural cycle! Grateful of course for 5 Frosties we can go back to if it’s another BFN :( but pretty sure we’d have to self fund any further transfers. Just waiting for my period to start this weekend hopefully and will call the clinic to start the process. Didn’t feel too bad with the meds last time, it was EC that was the toughest as my ovaries felt like giant lead balloons.

@Ladyluck001 thank you 😊 I’ve been stressing a bit wondering if I forgot any injections since yesterday which is impossible really but I think I dream about it too and now I’m not sure what was a dream and what was reality and what I did when 😅 Set my alarm for the trigger later so I won’t forget 😂 just getting a bit paranoid haha. Sure all will be fine 😊 I’ve also not felt bad on the stims this time. In a really good mood and sleeping well. Not too bloated yet either which is nice. Just a bit heavy when walking. But yeah EC will be a killer. my ovaries hurt so bad for days last time. I guess they would each one getting poked with a needle 7 times 🙈😅 but it’s okay I can take it 💪 haha men just get to have all the fun don’t they 😂 funny how yours was thrilled too 😂
oh wow that is pressure you only get one fresh and one frozen. Fingers crossed you’ll be successful on a funded transfer 🤞 and if not I guess at least they’d learn what medication is right for you for a frozen one for future reference. If we had had to pay for the abandoned one in the past that would’ve been annoying but that way we now know what meds I need if we have to go private in the future. And yes 5 in the freezer is awesome 👏

@Honeybunie Hello, it is frustrating to lose time with all the different processes! Then you have to wait another whole month. Did they give you any medication or advice about how to thicken your lining? I have two frozen embryos but they didn't want risk a fresh transfer as the lining was too thin to support a pregnancy. I haven't been able to find any information about how to improve it!

Ello ladies, 38 and my first IVF cycle will start next week. We’ve been trying for 18 months with no joy & all looks good on paper.

I don’t understand half the lingo on this thread but I’m sure I will soon! Will be following closely for tips!

We’re on a short protocol so will know by end of July if successful. We’ve gone through Access Fertility multi cycle programme so 2 rounds and unlimited frozen transfer.

Hi @Lucylocket27 yes I’ve been worried about the thickness of my lining in the past too. When they doubled the dose of oestrogen tablets for our second FET attempt my lining just about got to 7mm so borderline. They were happy with it tho and we went ahead. If I have another FET maybe they’ll increase the dose of oestrogen again to achieve a thicker lining. I read there is a treatment option with viagra I think administered vaginally in the run up to the transfer which increases the blood flow to the uterus and thus the lining. I’d be asking about that if I was to do one again. Other than that I just read to keep active to keep the blood flowing down there. It’s all about that apparently. Not to sit all day. Walking, cycling or maybe some yoga poses type thing. If you have any other tips let me know please :) when are you thinking of doing your FETs?

Hi @FiddleLeaf exciting you’re about to start. Very best of luck to you :) starting stims next week then?

@Honeybunie Thinking of end of July/beginning of August for FET. Very nervous about the whole thing! Last time my lining only got to 4mm then started getting thinner! They couldn't work out what was happening as I wasn't bleeding...who knows! I will look into the viagra thing. I do work out three x a week and am on my feet all day at work so hopefully blood flow is ok! If I find anything else I will let you know! Xx

Thanks @Honeybunie ! I feel eager to just get started now. If AF is on time we should start stims next Tuesday.

I’ve told my boss & she’s been amazing. I can take time off, wfh etc. She has said I should do whatever’s necessary. Very grateful!

@Honeybunie thats so exciting that egg collection is so soon! Ive got mine in about 10 days hopefully. Fingers crossed for you! And yeah the men get it so easy don't they? 🤣

@FiddleLeaf welcome! Exciting you will know so soon the outcome. Your package sounds interesting so can I ask if they will transfer until you have no embryos left if unsuccessful? Really hope you get good news x

@Lucylocket27 also acupuncture is supposed to help with lining issues x

@MAbbott34 very exciting. Glad the time has finally come. Can’t wait for tomorrow. I was thinking this is actually the most exciting parts isn’t it. Then it’s just a nerve wrecking waiting game 🤦‍♀️ have you started on the stims? Not long for you now 😃

@FiddleLeaf Tuesday.. exciting! You and @MAbbott34 will be quite close together then won’t you. We will buy the same package if we’re unsuccessful this cycle. And yes all embryo transfers are included until the last one.
your boss sounds amazing @FiddleLeaf nice to hear of a decent and supportive employer!! Bet that was a relief.

@Lucylocket27 aw I totally understand your worries. That must’ve been soo strange. I trust your clinic will address this with medication next time surely though. Did they say they gonna change anything about your protocol to address this already? You definitely don’t lack movement so that’s good.

Hello All

thought I would join this forum,

little on me I’m almost 35, had failed NHS cycle in November. Where I got one embryo to ET but it didn’t stick

so I start my meds tomorrow for my 1st private round

don’t know whether to be nervous or excited

Welcome @Crystal88 I’m almost 35 too and had one failed transfer so far, too. Good luck starting the meds. What protocol are you on?

How did you get on @Honeybunie with the egg collection today? Hope it went well, have been sending you good thoughts all day.

Still waiting for AF to arrive! So annoying it never comes when you want it to. And the thoughts creep in… what if I’m pregnant naturally! Staying away from testing this time - just going to wait patiently for the period to come on, as I know it will.

@Ladyluck001 i am on short protocol with ABC

Aww thank you @Ladyluck001 it went really well :) we got 17 eggs 😃 so three more made it since Friday. So I’m hopeful we’ll get more than two embryos this time. Well let’s see what they say tomorrow about how many have fertilised. You never know what curve ball this journey throws at you but so far so good 😊 and the EC itself was better than last time. No cramps after. They gave me paracetamol iv even before the sedation so that I wake up nice and chilled. And need to keep the paracetamol topped up today. So all good really. Quite chuffed 😊
aw I know about the hope that you might still make it naturally. Hope it’ll arrive soon for you now so you can start 😃 x

hi @Crystal88 hope this cycle will be more successful for you 🤞😊 hope the stims will go well x

Thank you!

Yep! So you do cycle 1 and then a fresh transfer followed by as many frozen embryo transfers as possible then onto fresh cycle 2. I’m 38 and it’s cost just over £10k (without meds). They also have a refund programme but this was a better fit for me & didn’t need a fortnight of waiting around for medical info to be approved.

Wow, that’s a great haul, congratulations! It’s a great start. I’m so pleased you haven’t had cramps. I’ve booked what should be my EC off because I’ve only heard bad things.

@Honeybunie how did today go?? Eeek! So exciting as you will literally start hearing about your embryos tomorrow onwards! That's a really interesting package you have there! It's good to know you have unlimited transfers! Can't wait to hear how your babies are growing. Yeah day 3 today. I'm already feeling some slight ovary discomfort. Does not bode well for the next week!

@Ladyluck001 I felt exactly the same a few days ago! I spotted for like 5 days and was thinking to myself I never want my period to come apart from now!! Typical!! Hope it comes soon xx

@Honeybunie sorry just seen your update. That's an amazing result! Keep us updated it's so exciting seeing someone a step ahead of you x

Thanks @FiddleLeaf @MAbbott34 will keep you posted how tomorrow goes.
@FiddleLeaf defo take the day of your EC off when you can. I’m just laying around chilling as it does get uncomfortable when I start moving around or tensing any muscles down there. The constipation from sedation doesn’t help. I recommend having a laxative ready in case you’ll have the same issue 😅
@MAbbott34 day 3 already wow. Hope the ovaries won’t twinge too much and you won’t get too bloated!

So pleased the EC went well for you today and you’ve got 17 eggs !! Hope you recover quickly and look forward to hopefully hearing more good news !!

Hi ladies

i hope everybody is doing ok, I had my last scan this morning 4 big follicles which I’m over the moon about as when we started I had 1! Just had my 2 trigger shots with EC on Wednesday.

i feel very very bloated and a bit uncomfortable and absolutely shattered so looking forward to having a bit of a break between cycles, we’re doing 3 collections back to back with hopefully FET in December.

my cyst on my left side doesn’t seem to be disappearing and I’ve got no follicles on that side so I’ve got to go get that investigated between rounds but it looks like I’ll have to have my left ovary removed frustrating but hoping my right side keeps doing what it’s doing and produces some eggs !!