FET/IVF/ICSI July 2023

[Olivia199]

Hello!

Just wanted to start a thread and see if anyone was going ahead with a transfer in July.

I've just had my nurse consult and hoping to have my second FET in July (my first was successful in Jan 2021 and I had my wonderful DD).

The first time around I was of course beyond nervous, excited, terrified it wouldn't work etc. This time it feels like that's doubled! I'm a private patient so I've saved everything for this but should it fail, it'll be a long long time before I could afford to try again.

To add some nerves, I'd need to be cycle day one no later than the 6th July to go ahead, as my clinic is moving locations. I'm currently due on the 5th...! So every chance it's moved to a Sept cycle.

Would be nice to have some company!

:)

Oh and @ASGIRC - You're absolutely ready!! You've got this. This is what it's all been about. We are behind you! (Though I 10000% had exactly the same fear last time. One step at a time..!)

@Olivia199 I haven't actually been told how long to take them for.
Only have 120 tablets, which at 6 per day, is only about 20 days.
But I'm sure I'll be told more about it.
The doc also prescribed some diazepam... Also not been told when to take it, though I was reading that it is used to stop contractions after the transfer, so possibly then.

A bit apprehensive about that, as I have to go to work after the transfer and can't very well be falling asleep everywhere!!

And I really don't want to have to call in sick that day... Work doesn't know I'm doing this and I don't want them to know until it is a thing.

Today I'm also having horrible cramps. I say horrible because I haven't had any cramps of any kind in about a year, so any twinge feels awful!! 🤣

If I didn't know any better, I'd say my period was making itself known, but it is more likely to be ovulation (I don't know what side my follicle was developing, though, but the cramps are basically on one side). I don't remember ever feeling any kind of ovulation symptoms, ever (though I was on the pill, with no ovulation for most of my menstruating life!)

@ASGIRC - Normally it's up until between 8-12 weeks of pregnancy. I think some places only give you enough to get past test day.
Ooh, interesting. How much Diaz? You shouldn't really drive with diazepam as it's a benzo. Working I imagine depends on the job. I wouldn't be allowed in after.
Thankfully none of that over here!

If you can't go in I'd definitely do the good old D&V!

Oh that's such a horrible feeling. I never had ovulation pain until after I had DD. Now I feel it every month!

Hope things settle and you're more comfortable soon.

@Olivia199 yeah I think I have enough to last until the test. Then well see what they say.

I had to buy a box, obvs. Havent been told when or how much to take, but I imagine it will be less than a full tablet.

I wont be driving, as I dont own a car, so public transport it is.

My job is in TV, so as long as I dont any studio work I should be fine! Probably best not to fall asleep during a news broadcast! LOL
But yeah, I might say Im not feeling well. D&V is a good old trusty one!
Im on a middle shift, so my colleagues could cover the work with minimal hassle.
But hopefully it will not be needed.

Cramps have now eased. Lasted about 30 minutes.

@ASGIRC - I've heard if it being used to relax you for transfer. To be honest if it's a tiny amount you may not feel much effect from it.

Good that you've at least got the option to bow out if you're not feeling up to it. I work in medicine so definitely frowned upon to have any amount of benzo in your system!

So glad things have settled.

Hi ladies

hope you are all well! I’ve been following the thread although I haven’t been posting and keeping everything crossed for you girls!

I’ve been having a really difficult time with it if I’m honest with yous. I’ve almost felt embarrassed to post with things going so badly even though I know it’s not my fault… I don’t know if you’ve seen some of the other threads I’ve created. I know the last update I posted in here was they found a big cyst on each ovary. They were tested for hormones to see if I could proceed with stims. They came back fine so I was allowed to continue. The clinic said they would have no affect on things however I don’t know if that’s true considering…

to say I got a shock at my first stims scan is putting it mildly. They discovered I was not responding very well at all. I had 2 follicles on the right track on my right side and one small and a couple of tiny on my left which would never amount to anything. Considering all my initial tests came back normal (amh of 21, scan was fine, I’m 32, lead a healthy lifestyle) it was extremely unexpected! It was touch and go on whether I would even get to egg collection as my clinic have a policy of 3 follicles.

my next scan showed I had 4 of a decent size so I was allowed to proceed. Luckily I got 4 eggs and all 4 fertilised. I can honestly say I’ve never been so stressed and anxious in my life. I get an update on how things are doing tomorrow with a possible transfer on Tuesday. I’m just praying they make it until then.

No one knows why I responded so poorly. It’s a mystery to the consultant. She said if we have to go again she might try me on the short protocol and would want to make sure I was all clear of cysts (they popped the 2 I had at EC) I’m just praying I don’t have to go again as like I say I’ve never been so stressed. I’ve been absolutely ill with it. Il never know how some ladies do multiple cycles and still remain hopeful.

@Raleighx so sorry to hear everything you are going through, sounds really difficult getting one hurdle after another 😞 I really hope they hang in there for transfer for you. I’m sending good vibes to them 🤞

Fertility treatments just feel like such a gamble don’t they. I think going through my second cycle I actually was less nervous as I knew what to expect at egg collection/was more familiar with the process. Obviously very different for everyone and every cycle can have different outcomes/success (even with the same medication for me!) that’s good they are changing up your protocol and hopefully you will get a different result if you even need to!

while going through treatment I do have to take extra care of myself and think of activities which I would enjoy. I started journaling which is nice to get everything out on paper (and sometimes have a rant!) and also meditation can really make me more relaxed when I get myself worked up. And of course lots of dog cuddles helped too 🥰

really hope it’s a good outcome for you though, you only need one embryo to make it (I know everyone says that but it’s true!) xxx

@21C congrats on the great numbers, hope the next few days go well for you.

@ASGIRC & @Olivia199 good luck for your transfers, must feel so real getting a date for it.

@Raleighx I'm so sorry to hear of the difficult process, it's so hard to not go in with expectations of how things with go and also after having the reassurance about the cysts. You got a nice number and obviously of good quality as they have fertilised. I hope you have some nice things for you planned the next few days to keep you occupied and I hope you get to go ahead with a transfer.

I feel like I'm well behind compared to everyone and it's defo making me feel keen to start, what are the chances that my period this month runs late 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm just seeing each day as a chance to go to swim / see friends / do a few more house jobs and start building up my prime playlist for the days I do just want to chill.

Also can anyone explain to me about the early scan, does the amount of weeks go from the first date of period /trigger/egg collection date? I haven't looked at much on the pregnancy side of the process

And just like that we’ve crashed back down. From 20 eggs, 13 were mature and only 2 are showing signs of fertilisation. We are devastated. They mentioned that my eggs that didn’t fertilise were showing darker areas in them has anyone had this before? I’ve got no hope for reaching day 3

@21C I’m sorry. I know how this feels, did you have ICSI? Only 2 of mine fertilised last time. One made it to blast, so you’re still in with a chance. I absolutely know how devastating it is though when your fertilisation rates are so low.

I’ve not personally had any darker areas on my eggs, but I remember the consultant had noted that they looked for it during our WTF appointment.

This cycle we’ve tried a new protocol, new supplements, will be doing AOA to help with fertilisation. I hope it works but it does go to show there are things they can do going forward.

@ttcsolomumtobe Sorry, I can’t help with your scan question. Never made it that far but hopefully other ladies on here can help with that.

@Raleighx I’m sorry you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and anxious. I hear you. I feel a lot like that myself!

Today we started the morning fymradel injections. Not so bad, but stingy/itchy afterwards though. Scan on Monday feels like an age away!

@Lauralozzle yeah this was ICSI and also used AOA so feeling even worse as just feels like everything that can be tried has been so what hope is there. I’ve been on coq10 as well as vit d and folic acid so tried supplements too. Praying to god these 2 show signs of progression, they are going to phone me tomorrow day 2 as she could hear how upset I was instead of leaving us until day 3 but so unbelievably sad at the whole thing

@ttcsolomumtobe you can calculate as you are technically 2 weeks pregnant from egg collection (I know sounds weird but it’s cause they count the whole cycle you conceive in). At both my transfers, scans were offered at 7 weeks, so about 3 weeks after the OTD. Usually you would be around 4 weeks when you test, there are also calculators online that you can use!

@21c sorry to hear your update that must be so disappointing, will you be doing a fresh transfer or freezing? xxx

@Ellenn we were told yesterday it would be a freeze because 20 eggs were collected. If anything is still progressing by day 3 I think I’ll push for a fresh transfer I can’t bear the thought of having nothing

@21C I’m so sorry. Fingers crossed those two fertilised eggs make good blasts. I’m glad they’ll phone you from day 2 and keep you updated.

I didn’t realise you had used the AOA. I’m holding onto a bit too much hope AOA and zymot will do the trick but I could easily be in the same position I was last round too. I do have my fingers crossed for you.

I do hope you can have a fresh transfer. I’d be pushing for it too.

Argh. IVF is super shit isn’t it?

@21C that seems like a sensible plan, I think they automatically do freeze-all after a certain number of eggs collected. Will they give you progesterone to take incase it ends up being fresh transfer? I always dreaded waiting for the phone calls from the embryologists but it’s better knowing isn’t it than having to hold out waiting x

@21C sorry to hear your upset with the news, fingers crossed those two progress well enough to transfer. Did they say what the darker areas meant with your eggs?

@Lauralozzle I don’t have any words for it. So delighted with 20 eggs yesterday and absolutely devastated today.

@Ellenn yeah our clinic said 20 was the number that would indicate freezing so we are right in the cusp. I don’t know if they’ll try and talk me out of a fresh transfer because freezing is advised but with no real option if only 1 or the 2 make it I would want to go down this route for sure.

@wtawtaw I wish I could be more hopeful for the 2 remaining but feel so devastated can’t see any light. No she just said it was something she noticed and would be writing it down for the doctor to look at. I’ve googled it and it looks like it’s an indicator of poor quality eggs

@Ellenn thank you so much for the good vibes lovely! I’m hoping they hang in there. I feel like the odds were against me even getting to this stage so the fact that I have feels like a miracle in itself. It’s so hard not to compare. I’ve felt myself retreating from these forums as it was hurting so much reading everyone’s high numbers and not understanding why it hasn’t happened for me. I’ve been listening to mindful Ivf and done some journaling. We had a spa day/hotel stay booked as a distraction last weekend but we ended up cancelling as things were going so badly. That’s what I keep telling myself - it only takes the one!

My wife did ivf a couple of years back that resulted in our DD. She got 14 eggs, 11 mature, 9 fertilised and 6 blasts! One was DD and the other 3 are in the freezer. I guess I was extremely naive in thinking that because all of the tests came back okay it would all be plain sailing for me as well! Plus the fact we are only going through fertility treatment because we needed a donor. I didn’t imagine us running into any issues but hey. Life is full of surprises!

@ttcsolomumtobe thank you! that’s what I’m focused on.. I’m hoping because there was less they are good quality. I have read that’s sometimes the case with lower numbers as they haven’t had to share around the hormones. I’ve done a lot of reading and it seems a lot of people have success with lower numbers so I’m holding onto that.

@Lauralozzle sorry to hear you’re feeling overwhelmed with it all too! I never thought I would get myself in such a stress about everything. I think half of the worry is the fact we are pushing ourselves financially to do this so multiple rounds are just not on the cards for us.

I know if this round is not a success my wife will be pushing us to use the embryos we have in the freezer that were made with her eggs and I really want to give my own eggs a fair chance first.

we are already in disagreement whether to put 1 or 2 back as our clinic has given us the option if we have 2 available! I want 2 but she doesn’t want to risk twins haha.. which is fair enough I suppose but deep down I would love twinnies 🤣 anyone else have this dilemma?

@21C I’m so sorry to hear your news. I can’t imagine how you are feeling. Keeping everything crossed for your 2 in the running 🤞🤞

@21C I'm so sorry to hear of the changes, it really is a whirlwind isn't it 😔 sounds like you have a plan in place though re asking for a fresh transfer if possible. I will keep everything crossed for you.

@Raleighx comparison is defo the thief of joy, I've been wowed by other people numbers too and keep reminding myself I'm going Mild IVF so will likely be less.
It must be difficult knowing your Wife's embryos are there and could be used and cost less financially but you are right in that you want to give yourself and your eggs a fair chance now.
I'm self funding and doing it as a single person but I would go for 2 eggs if I was allowed (my clinic won't as I'm 35) and would happily have twins (I get it's a more risky pregnancy) but feel like it would be nice, as 2 children feels a good number to me so would be nice to have it all done in one. I would absolutely be grateful for the chance of 1, but if you can double your chances then why not. Such a personal decision isn't it x

@ttcsolomumtobe oh absolutely. The clinic brought up transferring one of the frozen embryos if we were left with nothing to transfer this time and I’m torn. I know ultimately I would love to carry one but also I know if I do I would be closing the book probably on using my own eggs forever. I feel if I’ve already responded poorly.. it’s only going to get worse if we revisit it further down the line. I think in my mind if I do 3 transfers and none work then I will be able to make peace with trying what we already have. We have definitely said if this all works out and we decide to have a third child I would carry one of the embryos.

I’m actually really surprised that my clinic would even entertain the idea of me transferring 2 since I’m only 32 I thought they would be really against it. They have said they wouldn’t recommend it but ultimately the decision would be up to us. Definitely a personal decision. I think we would only end up transferring 2 poor quality as my wife said twins would be her worst nightmare haha.

@Raleighx it sounds like you have a plan re how many attempts you would give yourself and as you say almost make peace with it if it didn't work but I think you're right in giving that chance and doing it now while at a good age, otherwise you will always look back on it. I do cringe when I think of the money it involves so can see why the cheaper and easier route may have been suggested but later down the line "X amount of £s" won't seem like much with how it weighs against you on how you feel.

Yea I'm surprised they have agreed, think my clinic will only do it for 40+ Years. I do think transferring of 2 if poorer quality should be an option but even then it could still result in twins. Wow big decision for you

@ttcsolomumtobe the money side is so important and overwhelming!!

Like you, I am single, and self funding, and have no financial help. So when I got my AMH results (0.7, which is below average for my age - the UK seems to use a different measuring scale, but I should have above 1) and the fact that I am a carrier for a genetic disease that is passed on by the X chromossome, I decided straight away I would not be using my own eggs, as the potential for heartbreak was massive and the cost would be eye watering, with genetic testing!

Then I had 2 options - egg donation or embryo adoption. And the cost of both is sooo different. Embryo adoption was less than HALF the price of egg donation! So I went that route. And with that I have money for 3 tries before I have to save up again, whereas with egg donation I would only even have money to do one transfer before having to save again.

Whens your period due??

@Raleighx fingers crossed your eggs are good and become blasts!

@21C Im so sorry about your results... but fingers crossed for those 2 embryos! Hopefully theyll continue to evolve!

I started the progesterone last night and man... this is gonna be rough! It feels like Im on my period with the leakage... 😂How am I supposed to endure this for 8 weeks?! LOL
Also spotting a bit from yesterdays ovulation, but all the pains are gone!

@ASGIRC sorry to hear of the no way of proceeding, or. Or being worth it with your own eggs but I guess atleast it gave you that clear answer of what your next steps are.

I've been planning and saving for fertility precovid as like you wanted to be able to have money to do a few if needed without the breaks and I was due to start IUIs around June as COVID hit in the January before and at that point due to age I was stopped from going ahead as older people were prioritised first.

I moved house so have put some aside from the sale and then been topping it up each month from salary, feel like I've become so thrifty at living on a budget because of wanting to save that dropping to part time hours when I have a baby wouldn't be an issue financially, just gota get to that point 🤞 I really want to avoid doing it on credit or loaning against my house with it all being down to me and mortgage rates in the UK are on the up!

My period will be due anytime next week, I think it will be closer to the end as I ovulated late this month, tracked it out of curiosity so atleast it helps with an approx due time.

Do you normally bleed around ovulation or was that due to the medication?

@ASGIRC also saw yours and @Olivia199 chat about pessaries so stocked up on pantyliners on my supermarket shop yesterday, doesn't sound pleasant