IVF novice, what to expect re timelines?

[Walker12]

Hi all, myself and my OH have our nurse consult this week for IVF (unexplained infertility- NHS fund 1 round). We are with Care fertility.
We have also been booked in 2 days before for viral screen- they advised that they like to do this 48hr before the consult (I am not sure why?) And that from the point on the nurse consult we will be classed as in treatment. I just wondered what we might expect in terms of timeliness, if anyone can share their experiences at this stage I would be very grateful. I realise we will likely find all this out later this week but my mind is suddenly processing it all and I am keen to be as prepared as I can be!

I should also say we have done all of the (many) consent forms! :)

Hey 👋 in times of timescale they need to have completed the egg collection within 3 months of the blood test (for infectious diseases) I believe. I think the exact timescale when you start will depend on the protocol you will get and the individual clinic!

Thank you, that's good to know. I'm hoping we can start soon but want to manage my expectations. I have been trying to be as informed as I can but it feels a bit like learning a new language!

It is a bit like that! It’s hard to give you an idea of timings as it can be so varied with different clinics and protocols! I hope the cycle all goes well for you 🤞

Hiya @Walker12
Hope you don’t mind as I’m also at this stage, just completed the 25272662 consent forms online and have my information session next month so would love to hear what stages there are.
I know it may differ for us all.
wishing you the best of luck on this journey. Xx

Thanks so much both. Trying to be cautiously optimistic about it all, without getting our hopes up too much - its a tricky balance as I am sure you know!

Wish, good luck to you too. Our process with Care so far: had an initial appt with the consultant about a month ago to confirm IVF is the route, checking the results from our initial tests. Had to increase vit D (it was very slightly low). Then an initial baseline scan and AMH (the AMH was self funded) last week. Then we got a call at the end of last week to say all looks good and to go through consents- Lots of e learning online before signing the consents (I guess this is equivalent to the information session). They rang the next day to book us in for the viral screen and nurse consult. I am planning to ask about my AMH results in the nurse consult this week and ask for a rationale on the protocol they decide. Will let you know how we get on!

@Walker12 I’m with CARE, our first round was our NHS cycle.

They ordered it a bit different for me, but once you get your protocol you’re pretty much ready to start the next cycle I’ve found.

I had scan and initial consult, then did consents. I didn’t have a nurse consult re meds or anything, once consents were done we got our protocol. I had to then have BMI check. Once that was ok meds were ordered. Viral bloods were done within a couple of days of meds being ordered and then I started. From consents being done to receiving protocol and starting down reg was about 2 months. It all happened very quickly.

Fairly similar story on this private round. Once received protocol I could start next cycle. Had a little wait but that was down to my thyroid nothing to do with CARE.

Thanks @Lauralozzle, really useful to hear your experience. Good luck with your current round. My next cycle is due early July so it potentially could be fairly soon.
Do any of you happen to know what influences the recommendation for short vs long protocol?

@Walker12 I think if you have PCOS they recommend short protocol. Or if you have a low AMH they might too. I think if your AFC/AMH is normal they go with long protocol. Not 100% sure though.

I was long protocol before but didn’t have a great round, so we’re doing short this time. I don’t have PCOS but it took me a very long time to downregulate and I only have follicles on my left ovary. We’re trying short protocol with less stims so I’ll hopefully stim for longer as I was fully cooked in 9 days and they didn’t really grow evenly. I’m not really sure of the reasoning apart from it’s something different to try!!

I was put on short protocol as I have really high AMH and think they can adjust dosages/do freeze all if required more easily on short protocol. I really liked it as you start stims usually day 2/3 of your cycle so it’s straight into it without downregultion you get with a long cycle.

I think you have a lower risk of OHSS using short protocol and also they use it when you might not respond well because the doses can be changed mid treatment. Sorry not exactly sure about long protocol as both my cycles were on the short!

I am 36 weeks pregnant from first round with Care, but 2nd transfer (a frozen one as fresh didnt work). We were male factor and I don't have PCOS or a low AMH so I was surprised they put me on short protocol, and I pushed back a bit and queried it as from what I read long protocol seemed to give a better yield. They said that short is standard really and long protocol can be quite invasive in that they shut down your ovaries and its therefore a longer cycle etc. I went with short and trusted the experts and had a great round, got 7 eggs, all mature, 100% fertilisation with ICSI and ended up with 6 top quality blastocyst on day 5.

After the consents and necessary tests you start on your next cycle if the meds arrival lines up with it, so keep that in mind, wishing you all the best!

@Walker12 Thank you for letting me know.
For me it was initial consultation and then bloods and pelvic scan, at the scan they found a polyp so had to have a review and was told they’ll do a trial transfer on my next period (due July) and check if they need to take polyp out.
sadly this could delay things because if the polyp is small enough they’ll take out during the trial however if too big or they’re unable to take out then they’ll recommend surgery (which with NHS has a waitlist so I’ll most likely go private for this).
In the meantime I’ve been sent the consents which I’ve done and have been given an appmnt for mid July for the nurse information session.

Im hoping on this session they’ll tell me what meds to take/protocol/when to start.

I have PCOS so I assume it’ll be short protocol based on what others have said however I’ve not been told this yet.

I’m really not looking forward to the injections or the egg collection to be honest but telling myself it’ll be worth it in the end.
x

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to reply, really interesting re. the different rationales for short vs long.
We have no issues, 1st SA result a year ago was borderline low morphology but OH has been taking proxeed since- I did actually get pregnant naturally in Feb (first ever bfp after 2+ years) but sadly had a very early loss. I am not sure yet what level exactly my AMH is but they suggested it's all normal. It's so hard when there is no explanation, although I am equally relieved there aren't any significant issues too. I will trust the process and their expertise but also try to ask questions like you say @Imisscoffee2021

@Wish1 fingers crossed they can remove the polyp in July. I am also apprehensive about the procedures but I think I would do anything now if I would help- just have to keep in mind it's all part of the process for us to get to hopefully meet our future babies ❤

@Walker12 I found it less scary than I thought, and for egg collection you're very much unconscious and oblivious :) it was so quick for me, the moment sedation went into the cannula I said "oh I think it's working" and then woke up feeling all fuzzy and chilled in another room😅 its amazing what we can do when we have to, and it's another step to a much wanted baby :) all the best with it

@Imisscoffee2021 thank you, hope I have a similar experience!! Don't think I said before but congratulations on your pregnancy and hope the last few weeks go smoothly for you

Hi all, just wanted to share a brief update - we will be starting stims my next cycle (so only a few weeks away!) Short cycle - the nurse said this is standard as you mentioned @Imisscoffee2021

My antral follicle count was 20 which she said is good, AMH 8.9 which she said is fine too (google tells me it is low for my age, mid 30s, but I am not going to obsess over that).

Feeling emotional but positive.

Follicle count is great @Walker12 ! The month before my cycle I had 21 and then the month I did it went to 11! I got 7 eggs so you have a great chance of getting lots, just see how you respond to stims :) when's your first scan?

@Walker12 That’s great news, nice and quick. I’m looking forward to short protocol this cycle, should be much quicker.

Out of interest, have they put you on norethisterone at all? Only wondering because I’m on short protocol and I’m taking norethisterone for 10 days from CD18 and then when period starts, I start stims. We could be cycling roughly the same time :)

Thanks both, trying to focus on one step at a time so yes hopefully we get a good response and good amount of eggs.
The first scan is estimated 14th July, CD1 should be 6th July, I am just going off my rough notes and the medication schedule as they haven't sent a copy of the plan through yet. Does that sound about right?
@Lauralozzle so she discussed norethisterone initially but then said as the clinic had good availability around my normal cycles (very regular) then they could do it without, I hope that makes sense as I am still getting my head around all this! Would be nice if it was similar timings for us!
The protocol we have been given is meriofert and fyremadel (means nothing to me at this point in time😂) and they are posting the medication out to us next week so we have it ready X

@Walker12 im excited for you!! Hope it all goes well and your cycle behaves itself and arrives as expected! Got to be the one time we want our period 🙈

Exciting news! 🫶
Hoping it all goes well for you.
out of interest, during your nurse consultation (and all the information given) did you all take any notes or anything?
Someone on another thread mentioned about recording the conversation due to all the information I.e medication/protocols etc.
Reading all these comments has given me so much reassurance especially around the egg collection because that has been a massive worry for me.
Wishing you all the very best of luck ❤️

@Walker12 I stop taking norethisterone on the 6th, so I’ll be a week behind you (ish).

Thanks so much @Ellenn, yes I am counting down the days! Good luck wherever you are in the process.
@Wish1 I did make some notes however she reassured us it would all be sent over to us I a written plan on our online portal, but it hasn't come through yet other than the medication schedule. She talked it theough very slowly but there is an awful lot to take in, I just wrote down a few key things like the estimated egg collection and transfer dates etc. I am glad you are feeling a little better about the egg collection, it really does sound like it won't be something we will feel much for/remember much of!
@Lauralozzle that's exciting, hope it all goes smoothly for you. I notice there is a July thread which I might join soon now I'm a bit more clued up- thank you all so much for your advice and support so far X

@Walker12 I’m thinking of taking some notes as well.
Did they discuss your protocol at the info session?

This gives me hope, I have mine in about 3 weeks so hoping it’ll mean egg transfer after my August cycle (fingers crossed).

How are you feeling now being one step closer? X