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!

:)

@21C Oh no! When they said they were gonna check if the embryo was out of the catherer, as sometimes they stay stuck I broke out in a sweat, not gonna lie! But it hadnt, it was safely inside me!
However, the nurse with the ultrasound kept PRESSING on my bladder!!! And not finding the correct angle!

Oh well!!! Were done now!!! Now we wait! I wish I could test today to see if the trigger is out of my system already!!!

@21C glad you have your little embryo on board and hope the wait isn't too hard. 🤞🏻 It's a sticky one when inside you too!

@ASGIRC wow you seem you be able to test really soon. Stay positive, you've been so positive and sure it will work throughout that don't let a Dr make you worry. If you can maybe just wait it out to the bloods. I'm in the June group and someone there tested on a Clearblue digital 9 days after ( not sure if it was a day 3 or 5) but it showed negative, on day 10 it showed 1-2 weeks. I think the CB require a higher level of HCG than others but if you haven't got the super sensitive you could be testing too early to get a true reading.

@IVFfirsttimer91 that's so great, such exciting times for your scan

@ttcsolomumtobe CB digital weeks indicator needs a HCG of 25miu to register as positive. The CB digital ultra early needs a level of 10miu 🤓 I have taken wayyyyy too many tests in my life so unfortunately have all of this knowledge knocking about 😂

@TheBirdintheCave thank you for giving the specific miu, I couldn't remember so don't wanna misquote. I feel like FRERs are even less than the 10miu.

I've got 2 FRER, 1 Clearblue standard that came with my medication and some ultra early cheapies that are 10miu.... I'm calmly telling myself that I won't test before my OTD (which my clinic advise is 16 days after the transfer... Longest wait ever!!) but clearly my packs of tests does not indicate that my intentions will play out and the last thing I want is a mad dash to a midnight chemist and pay £20 for a test in a moment of madness 😂 no judgement on those who have, myself included before and both of them came up with an error message haha

@ASGIRC I know! They said it only happens 2% of the time but of course it happened to me today when I’ve already been in stirrups for the best part of 15mins by this point! i don’t know about you but I’m exhausted now, looking forward to resting tonight. Bet you’ve never been so relieved to get to the bathroom after, what a long wait you had.

@ttcsolomumtobe thank you! Praying this wee early blastocyst sticks 🤞🏼

I bought a baby grow last week originally for my neice but got it home and realised it was definitely more for a boy so I’ve kept it and now put the embryo scan picture in its tiny pocket it has. Feel like a mad woman but it’s giving me comfort and hope!

@21C that's so very cute... I think we all have our own ways of finding comfort, and hope and after the week you've had of it feel your hope has gone a long way! 🩷

@ttcsolomumtobe I know, I am a really positive person in general, but those words just made me focus on the 35% of non pregnancy with high quality embryos...

@21C I actually had to ASK for the toilet. They completely forgot about that part of it! Just wanted me to sign some things and get dressed and go! 😂😂

Ugh... Also, a friend has just texted me asking about how things are going along, and I don't know what to tell her.

@ASGIRC it's easy to let a moment of doubt and worry set in but the chances for you are great, the quality is great and you seems so prepared and taking it all in your stride.

As for telling your friend, only you know what's bests for you, so hard though isn't it as some I feel infertility makes you live 2 separate life's when you don't feel you want to share. Maybe look back on your previous comments and see how that resonates with you now.

Comments about telling / discussing with friends I mean, as you seemed to have a plan @ASGIRC

This friend, like most of my friends, knows I'm doing this, and I had been giving some updates on our friend group.
Though I have stopped a few weeks ago, as things got more "real"

And today she was reminded of it from talking to another friend about infertility.

I will be telling her, along with our other mutual friends, pretty soon, but I don't want to talk about it during the tww.

I could say that things are ongoing and I'm waiting for some results...

@ASGIRC yea that makes sense. I do feel there's a point when it hits real and suddenly feel a bit more guarded and personal on it. I think what you've said above is fine, it's not a lie either as you are waiting on something and hopefully will be able to tell them amazing news in no time

@ttcsolomumtobe I mean... I AM waiting on some results... So yeah, it isnt a lie. i hope she doesnt press much. Maybe Ill preempt with "dont have a lot to tell, just waiting on some results."

This brain storm has been usefulll!!!!

@ASGIRC That sounds like a good way to put it without giving too much detail. It’s the truth too!

Congrats on your transfers @ASGIRC @21C, and your great results @IVFfirsttimer91

I had no idea the embryo could get stuck in the catheter, another thing to worry about 😂

Fingers crossed for those waiting for AF or continuing with stims that things move along for you!

@21C oh no that is really frustrating on top of everything else! i’m sure it was really quick and so it won’t have much of an impact!

@ASGIRC congrats on the transfer as well!

im feeling so tired and achy and nauseous but i also felt this way the last time, so it’s probably just the drugs again 😔

@Walker12 don’t even think about it honestly, she said it happens on 2% of times and it doesn’t cause the embryo any harm! Just my luck legs akimbo in the stirrups honestly couldn’t make it up!

thanks again for all the kind messages. In my pjs on the sofa with a hot water bottle across me getting some heat into my uterus and just hoping for the best now!

Hi ladies

I’ve been on the June thread as we had our first round then, we got 2 embryos and PGTA tested them.

im currently on northestorine and baseline scan next Friday to then start stims Friday for our second round.

I was really in the “zone” for my first round felt good and ate well but this round I’m not prepared for at all and I’m actually not sure if we should postpone, we’ve had a lot going on (my brother has cancer and has been in hospital the last 2 weeks quite unwell) so healthy eating, supplements etc has gone out the window.

I just wondered does anybody know can stress affect your egg quality and success ? Im
trying from tomorrow to focus on the IVF but feeling completely unprepared

one good thing to come of IVF is I’ve found out I’m going through early menopause or premature ovarian failure so I actually felt amazing on the injections probably the best I’ve ever felt 😂

@21C I've seen your message about hot water bottle. I just wanted to say that when I did IUI my clinic advised not to use any form of hot water bottle or heat pad. I don't want to worry you, your clinic may have said it was okay but thought I'd mention it, they didn't really explain why.

@Chickencrazy3356 I'm sorry to hear about your brother, I understand how an ill family member can knock all aspects of your life. I was in the June group also but delayed mine due to booking a break away and AF arriving early, didn't want to be injecting on a train or carrying meds round London. Also realised how overwhelmed I'd made myself with trying to be in the zone, supporting an elderly family member, being busy and seeing all my friends beforehand that I'd run myself down and was exhausted, for me I think I delayed it as if it wasn't a successful outcome I would always wonder "was it because".

I have read that stress doesn't impact the eggs or the process but it's more how it makes us feel, like if it didn't work would you think to yourself "is it because I was stressed", also it can be to do with the hormones released when stressed.

Re preparing and being in the zone it is important for you own benefit but I've come to accept that even with the countdown and the meds due to start any day now and how much I want this more than anything else in the world that I can't be good with food 100% of the time, I sometimes forget to take suppliments but just try find in an extra dose and try not to beat myself up about it.

I hope you make the decision that is right by you and good luck

@Olivia199 hope you are feeling much better and good luck for tomorrow

@ttcsolomumtobe thank you! 15mins after I posted that message something clicked and I thought I better check and seen such mixed reviews about heat directly on area so moved it down to my feet as they are always freezing. Better safe than sorry!

@21C yea defo better to be safe on that one. After one of my IUIs, (sorry closest thing I can compare to to as yet to start the IVF) I struggled really badly with tummy and lower back pain and they suggested to put it on my feet to help with the uterus pain or that it was okay to be put on my back for shorter periods of time and with a layer of clothing and a cover or towel wrapped round the water bottle.

Hope the pain eases up for you and you manage to get warmed up

Also, when I was seeing a reflexologist they said always make sure you have warm feet as warm feet = a warm uterus needed for implantation. They also said no to hot water bottle directly on stomach after transfer. Really don't know how true both those things are though!

I guess in terms of stress, the consensus is that it helps nothing and no one!

Whether it has any actual impact on egg quality? No one knows for sure. But being really stressed is not very conducive to things going without a hitch. Because youll be worried about every single little thing.

Hope it goes well for you @Chickencrazy3356 ! That really is a difficult situation you are in.

I quit smoking 3 weeks ago and I seem to have replaced it with chocolate. I dont have a sweet tooth and can go MONTHS without eating any refined sugar. But its all I want now.
This does not bode well for a healthy, low weight gain, pregnancy, if this little embryo sticks!

Hi @Chickencrazy3356, really sorry to hear about your brother, what a difficult time you and your family must be going through.

Did you two embryos come back as normal? And if so are you waiting to transfer them or are you going through another collection?

I'm not sure about the stress/egg quality connection thing but if it's intense stress you are going through then your body will divert your energy where it's needed instead of trying to grow a baby. Think why women sometimes lose their menstrual cycle when stressed (been there), because the body focuses on survival rather than anything else.

Good luck whatever you decide to do

I find that a lot of things that are said are a bunch of bollocks...

I was googling what to do in preparation for transfers, the other day, and some actual CLINICS had advice such as "diffuse lavander oil in your bedroom before bedtime", "have a warm bath the night before" and other stuff of this ilk, and it infuriated me sooooo much!

I want actual science! Not some life coach mambo jambo!

Also, on googling whether drinking coke zero was ok "Not sure about the caffeine, but pregnant women shouldnt drink any coke ever, cause gestational diabetes and weight gain" or "soda is bad for you, regardless of sugar or caffeine".