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!

:)

Hi everyone - hope you're all doing well. Sorry I dipped out for a bit there!

@Olivia199 keeping everything crossed AF shows up for you in time. I remember waiting for mine.. don't think I've wanted her to show so much in my life! I was like you.. googling constantly. Wearing white pants always tempts her out 😂

@Justkeepmoving1234 my other half is a bit like that - the excitement is just not there this time. When we were ttc last time we attended all of the appointments together but I've been to most of them on my own this time. Although I suppose it's a little different and harder this time with a toddler to look after already.

@loulamay we haven't told anyone either this time. Last time the in laws knew we were trying and from the moment we got a positive test. This time the only person that knows is my best friend as she's currently going through the same. But I just feel like I want to be a bit more guarded with it this time. We told people super early about the pregnancy last time (family and friends not everyone).. from the 7 week scan where we saw a heartbeat. But I think this time if we're lucky enough I'd want to stay in our little bubble for a while.

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster over here! I was so relieved AF had showed in time for my baseline scan I didn't even think of the possibility that anything else might throw a spanner in the works. Had my baseline last thursday where she said my lining was lovely and thin BUT she found a cyst on each ovary. I've never had cysts before but she said that sometimes the buserelin can have that affect because of the hormones... She scanned me for what seemed like forever not really saying much. Eventually said they were going to have to take some bloods to see if the cysts were producing hormones. Of course I was then on google trying to find out what it meant and everything pointed to a delayed/cancelled cycle.

The results weren't back until the next day so I spend all night stressing and convinced they were going to cancel this round after I'd already spent 3 weeks injecting. But when they called the next day apparently it's all good as they weren't releasing hormones and i'd fully DRed. Never been so relieved in my life but still worried they will have some sort of affect (apparently they won't)

Started stimming on Saturday. The ovaleap pen is so much easier than having to mix the menopur which we had to do last time.

Hi everyone! Joining this thread for support as we are keeping it a secret this time. 1st fresh cycle last summer ended in MC. Went for 7 week scan and saw heartbeat but baby measured behind. Went back at 8 weeks and baby had died. EXACT same thing happened with thaw cycle in spring this year. I turned 40 in April but found out 3 days before it was another MC. We’ve had all the tests are they returned normal, so apparently it’s bad luck. I’m full of anxiety as we’d love a family. I just had the prostap injection last week so waiting for a bleed before I start Progynova xx

@Labradoodlepup oh no how frustrating! I had thought my period would arrive about the 9th (but I have absolutely no idea as didn’t track this month!) which would be transfer last week of this month. But who knows 🤷‍♀️ it may not arrive either! I hope yours turns up soon 🤞

@IVFfirsttimer91 - The clinic is moving locations so closed for August. But timing wise with shifts and everything, this month worked absolutely perfectly. So I was so desperate to be on time.

AND I AM. SHE CAME IN THE NIIIGGHHHTTTT. I'm very excited. My poor DD is totally confused at why her normally less than functioning morning mum is all bouncy and cheery. She seems to be avoiding me.

@Raleighx - Oh god what a stressful wait for you! So so glad all is okay to to ahead!

I'm so sorry for everything you've been through, I have absolutely everything crossed that this is your rainbow cycle. Sending lots of luck and you're more than welcome here for support!

The secrecy thing makes me feel sad sometimes but I totally agree. I often wonder about people who get a positive test, having never had a miscarriage or any issues, and think nothing apart from "I get to have a baby in 9 months!". Envy can be a beast sometimes.

Anyway! Happy to hear about everyone moving forward with their plans! Good luck for the TWW those who have transferred! Although for me it's never 2 weeks because I am a chronic early tester haha.

Stopping my pill this Sunday. Feeling the usual apprehension mixed with hopefulness. I really don't want to have to do another egg retrieval at 43!

@loulamay - It's such an anxious time. I'm a chronic early tester too. I also peed on way too many sticks last time. Got everything crossed for you.

I've just realised that the scan which takes place on day 11-13 for a FET falls on a friday-sunday. Meaning it'll be a day 11 scan. Unsure why this makes me so nervous. Feel like this is quite early. Though last time I was good to go on day 12. It also means if it isn't thick enough then I've got enough time to go back 7 days later to rescan rather than cancelling.

So far so good, my progesterone levels are ‘above anticipated’ so I don’t have to do the injections. Relief isn’t even the word. I have a proper little phobia of needles, so the egg collection part of this whole thing was really difficult. I’m glad I don’t have to stress myself out now again about them! I don’t know what anticipated levels are (I’ve asked) but mine are 82.8nmol/l hope everyone else is ok! And yay for AF coming @Olivia199 !

Thats amazing news @IVFfirsttimer91!

@Olivia199 woohoo! so glad she's here for you 😃

@LittleAm oh i'm so sorry to hear about all that you've been through. that must have been so awful. praying this is your time 🙏

so i've been doing everything I've read online that helps with lining/egg quality/implantation. Whole milk, pineapple, pomegranate juice. Hot water bottle on my tummy to help those follies grow. DP was taking the mick out of me saying 'you would drink your own pee if you read it would help you get pregnant' 😆anyone else got any tips for when stimming?

Also downloaded mindful ivf so have been doing the meditation each day!

@Raleighx - I'm thrilled. It is absolutely perfect timing. Of course I now can't seem to get hold of the clinic which is irritating. Though my impatient self has called a dozen times and emailed!

I totally get what you mean about doing literally everything you can. I was very similar. I'm having my last celebratory glass of wine tonight in the bath (providing DD allows it by adequately snoozing..!). Then it's time to knuckle down. No advice though I'm afraid. Just lots and lots of looking after yourself!

They've just called me back and booked in my baseline consult with the nurse for Thursday. Slightly anticlimactic but I'm way ahead of myself.. dreaming about telling DD about her baby brother/sister, telling family and friends.. what am I doing to myself?!

@Olivia199 Thank you so much!!

I’ve dropped off a bit on here, but we’re back from our little staycation. I’ve tried to catch up, but apologies in advance if I’ve missed anyone!

@Walker12 I’m having meriofert. Stims this time will involve much more mixing, which is a bit daunting. I only had ovaleap before and that was easy! Just a quick pen injection.

@Justkeepmoving1234 Hi! Congrats on your previous embryo making it all the way! My husband is okay, although our failed round was tough for him. My husband just wants to get things moving now, we have a new protocol so hoping it’ll make the difference we need!

@loulamay Hi! Good luck with your FET.

@scaredynoob Hi! Good luck. We’re officially unexplained too. It’s daunting, but once you get in the swing of injections you quickly become a pro at it! Sometimes unexplained is explained to a degree during ivf cycle. We had shocking fertilisation on our NHS round, and extra tests on DH showed he likely has a sperm DNA frag issue. I wouldn’t worry too much about your bmi.

@Olivia199 YAY for AF!!!

@IVFfirsttimer91 I hope your transfer went well. 2WW now. How are you feeling?

@SH998 & @LittleAm Welcome 🤗

Update for me: Still on norethisterone. It’s not too bad at all. A few cramps but that’s it really. Last tablets on Thursday and then the break until AF shows up. Stims start CD2, whenever that will be. I just want things to be moving forward, but they are, I’m just getting impatient!!

@Raleighx thank you!!

@Lauralozzle - Amazing that you're doing so well on it. It's horrible feeling like nothing is progressing even when it is. Count down to AF!
I've just bought some tests online. Mad to think this is really happening. Xx

@Raleighx - sometimes I feel a bit split on this! For some of my transfers, I've done everything - acupuncture, ALL the supplements, no caffeine etc etc and they've not worked. With our successful transfer, I drank two glasses of wine the night before and she'll be 2 years old in October 😂

I did ask my Dr once about supplements and he said 'be honest - do they make a difference?' and he said there wasn't much medical evidence to suggest they did, but the feeling of control and having some kind of positive impact on the outcome was reason enough to do it if you wanted. The two that he did suggest I take were L-Arginine which apparently promotes blood flow to the ovaries and Vitamin E for implantation.

I try to look at it all with a holistic mindset - if a glass of wine helps you to relax and feel less stressed about the whole process or if you really need a strong coffee in the mornings then I wouldn't worry about it too much.

@Olivia199 I don’t blame you getting tests! I still have one from the last cycle! I’ll probably end up buying a few more though, at some point!

Yeah, I don’t feel any different on norethisterone. Makes me wonder if it’s actually doing anything. AF should arrive (normally) between Friday/Saturday. I suppose if I start later than that I know it has worked a bit! I’m a bit dubious because I completely failed to down regulate with buserelin last time to start with. I know this isn’t a down regulation though, just to control my extremely predictable period which would be due around the same time had I not taken the norethisterone anyway!!

I want to get stims sorted though so I can get some space back in the fridge! 😂

@Raleighx I’m with you on the trying everything - milk, pomegranate juice, pineapple! I’m rattling as it is with all the supplements I’m taking - proxeed for women, COQ10, vitamin c, l-arginine, lipoic acid, vitamin d, folate, DHEA omega 3, complex b vitamin, as well as magnesium, calcium, vitamin k2, zinc, vitamin b12, iron and levothyroxine which are for my vitamin deficiencies because I struggle absorbing anything as a result of my underactive thyroid! I’ll be glad when egg collection is over because I’ll only have to take half of them!!!!

I am taking conception vits, eating more healthily and exercising more. Nothing too strenuous however :)

The spotting I get about 3-4 days before my period has begun today which is 5 days early so will call the clinic tomorrow to give them a heads up that it is likely that everything is going to have to move forward.

Exciting that things are moving forward for people :) so glad AF arrived for you @Olivia199!

I have managed to reduce to one small coffee a day and very reluctant to give that up! No real urges to drink so I'm fine with no booze but I agree, do whatever helps you relax (in moderation!). I've been eating so healthily lately but just had a huge pizza for tea as had a stressful day.

This may be a really stupid question, but if after monitoring scans they increase/change medication doses, do the clinic give you the new meds directly? We have noticed we only have enough for 9 days and I wondered what happens if they extend it. I am still so new to all of this!

I've just noticed all of the exclamation marks in my last post, clearly has been a stressful day and my brain is too tired to punctuate well 😂

Hi all, I was in the June group as was due to start IVF the end of the month but AF turned up 3-5 days earlier than expected and I had just booked a last minute trip to London, didn't fancy doing my first injections when on trains so delayed it by a month. I'm doing a Mild IVF. My next cycle will start around 21st-24th July, excited but also super nervous. Hope is to do a fresh transfer. I have previously done 3 IUIs and that that time shared alot of the journey with my friends but decided this time round I'm keeping it to myself as it's exhausting telling people , explaining stuff as they are lucky enough to not have to know all about it etc.

May I ask from a work perspective what are people planning to do between egg collection and transfer date? Also are people booking the test date off work?
My clinic advised to test 16 days after transfer, which seems much longer. Curious question for anyone who has already done IVF, does taking the pessaries stop AF? I know it's given to support pregnancy if it has worked but what happens if it doesn't, do you still have a bleed or would you only bleed when you stop the pessaries? I'm really hopeful for the cycle and was planning to try get my test day off work but feel like 16 days is a long time and worry if it hadn't worked I may have a bleed before then. Any advice would be helpful.

@Walker12 my clinic advised me to let them know when I'm low on meds and if I need more they will give me more.

@ttcsolomumtobe at my first cycle I took a couple of days off after egg collection as didn’t feel that great, but then went back to work as normal once feeling ok! Might depend how you feel, I had OHSS both cycles so felt terrible. I then just continued working after transfer as thought it better to have distractions than sitting at home overthinking everything and making yourself stressed one minute it had worked and next it hadn’t 🙈

16 days seems like quite a long time! I think for my fresh cycle it was 10 days and frozen was 14 - although both of these transfers were day 5 blastocysts so I imagine if it was day 3 embryo you would need to test later? Maybe they are saying 16 days as they don’t know if it would be day 3/5 yet?

sorry not sure I can advise about the pessaries as both my transfers so far have resulted in a biochemical and a miscarriage so I didn’t bleed, hopefully someone will be able to advise!

I was wondering what natural IVF is? Not come across it before!

@Ellenn thank you for your reply. I'm due to have a 121 with my manager tomorrow as like you I would rather be busy but my manager and the other TL that know of my situation are on leave across egg collection so not sure how I feel telling another person.