FET / IVF August 2023

[KG1244]

I’m due to start my second round of FET in August so thought I would set up this group for some treatment buddies ❤️

I'm starting my first round of IVF in August.

@M425 ahhh how are you feeling about it? I had my first round of IVF in March this year.

@M425 , how are you feeling? I just started my folistim and menopur injections 2 days ago. I felt bloated and some insomnia on the first night. I read that drinking a lot of water will help and it really did for me.

@KG1244 nice to meet you! would you mind sharing what was your first round of IVF like? in terms of the symptoms from the injections from start to the point where you went for your egg retrieval.

I'm glad to be starting soon but also dreading the whole process. I'm not sure how I'll cope with the injections and being sedated (if we get that far).

@M425 aww, its ok. Your not alone. This is my first time also. Taking it one step at a time, day by day. The injections was nerve wrecking at first but slowly getting use to it now. A little tired afterward and bloated otherwise its tolerable.

I'm due to start stims at the end of the month - just started norethisterone today! This will be our first ICSI cycle due to MF issues but I also low AMH. Not sure what to expect or how to feel. Felt weird when I got the medication through the post! Good luck to everyone :)

@Peonies19 hey, yes of course. So I was petrified about the injections as I’m quite needle phobic but I got DH to do them and actually got used to it quite quickly. I bought some mini ice packs to apply to the site for a minute or two before to numb the area and it would just be a tiny sting. The thing I found difficult was that I was rather bloated (my usual jeans wouldn’t fit!) but other than that, was generally ok and not as bad as I thought it would be.

The EC was fine and really quick. They sedated me so I was completely out of it. What was difficult was that I wasn’t prepared for was the drop from eggs collected to embryos after the 5/6 days. I had 18 eggs collected and got 4 embryos. I didn’t realise beforehand that there would be such a drop (this is normal but generally I think it’s around 50% so I was a bit unlucky). One embryo was transferred in June which sadly failed but I’m due to have another frozen transfer in august so pleased to have a bit of a plan in place. The one piece of advice I would give is to just focus on each day at a time. The process didn’t go completely to plan for me as it was planned that I would have a fresh transfer after my egg collection but unfortunately it needed to be changed to frozen as they found a polyp during my scans which needed to be removed before they could transfer. I found the process to be more difficult emotionally rather than physically so make sure you take care of yourself. Any questions, I’m really happy to help and support xx

@KG1244

How long does a IVF cycle take? I am to call in August at the start of next period but it's not going to start then. They mentioned something about bloods on day 21.

Hi all, I’m starting our first ICSI cycle end of the month too. Currently on 2 months sabbatical leave from work which is going to be great when my cycle starts not having to juggle clinic appointments around work, but right now is giving me too much time to Google so trying not to let myself go down rabbit holes of all the fertility diets and supplements that may or may not make any difference.

@M425 so the process I followed is that you start Norethisterone on day 14 of your next cycle. Take that for two weeks and then once you stop, your period starts a few days later and then day 1 of that cycle, you start the injections I think on day 6

@KG1244 that is so great you got 4 embryos. All the best for your next transfer! I know everyone's journey is different but 4 would be a dream scenario for us; I think 1-2 is more realistic but trying not to think so far ahead.

Are you doing anything different this time?

I was advised to go on DHEA several months ago and in addition to that folic acid, vitamin d and CoQ10 (ubiquinol). All cleared with my dr of course.

@VH24 I also took a few days off when I am meant to go in for the scans. I was not sure if it would be better or worse for my mental health not to have some actual work to do cause I think I would be obsessing to an unhealthy degree (was also looking up all the supplements/diets last week...). But I will take some time off around egg collection and thankfully my mum will come visit so that will be nice, I hope.

@KG1244 good luck with your FET in August!

I had my first fresh transfer after ICSI at the start of July, but just found out it’s BFN. Devastated and just still trying to accept it hasn’t worked.

I’m waiting for our review appointment to be confirmed, but might be a while so can’t imagine they’ll be ready to do a FET in August. We also have 4 frozen embryos so very thankful we at least have other options.

Completely agree that it’s very hard emotionally. I stupidly convinced myself this was going to work and just can’t believe it hasn’t. I’m now finding it hard to stay positive that one of the FETs will work!

@Loulaki thank you ❤️ We’re doing medicated FET this time. Last time, we did natural FET. I’m not feeling majorly confident because the embryo is lower quality so finding that a bit challenging. What’s DHEA?

@daisy9207 thank you ❤️ So sorry to hear. It’s so shit. Give yourself time. I’m only just starting to feel a bit more myself and it’s been 10 days since my BFN.

Hey everyone 👋

ok if I join? I’m actually in another thread as thought my transfer would be in July but turns out my period was slightly later so I think it’s more likely the first week in August 😁

how is everyone feeling?

@KG1244 DHEA is a hormone some drs recommend for improving egg quality, esp if you have a lower AMH. My understanding is that some drs think it helps, others are less convinced. But I am trying to trust our fertility clinic and their experts so been taking it for a few months.

Hey could I join?
About to start our first cycle, and we haven’t told anyone at all. Drugs were all delivered yesterday so feels very real now! Though I’m meant to start testosterone gel Wednesday and can’t find any anywhere 😩

If we manage to get an embryo (which is a pretty big if for us) then we should be transferring end of August/start of September.

@Ellenn @MrsMotts welcome to the group ❤️

@KG1244 Thank you ❤️ I’m the worlds most impatient person when it comes to this stuff so dreading all the waiting! I have really low AMH/AFH so if we can get an embryo, we have a decent shot.

sending lots of luck for your FET in August xx

hi ladies, any idea if the ganirelix injection burns like the menopur? i may need to start that soon so i just want to have a idea of wat to expect ahead. Also, from start to finish how long does IVF usually takes? from the stim shots to egg retrieval. thanks!

Hi all, could I join too?

I am 41, ttc b3. Next week starting to take pre-stimulation piils abd then stimulation injections 1-2 week in August. Will be first IVF with genetic testing, as had 4 cp last 1.5 years 🥺 Might need to do back-to back egg collection cycles to get enough embryos to test (min 4 need).

Good luck to everyone in this difficult emotionally process ❤️

@Peonies19 i found the menopur was super stingy to inject the ganirelix not as bad but afterwards usually quite stingy/get a red patch on skin. For some reason I found it better injecting in thigh for ganirelix than abdomen 🤷‍♀️

my first cycle I had 9 days of stimulation, egg collection on day 11 and then my second cycle had 10 days of stimulation and egg collection day 12 (if that makes sense!) I was on a short protocol. Hope that helps, usually after your first scan the nurses can give you an idea of when egg collection might be ☺️

@MrsMotts I'm in a similar position of low amh and I've been told that they are going to try and get a single egg. It will be good to hear how you get on; I'm slightly behind you as I'll most likely be starting end of August.

@M425 i’ll keep you all posted!
for egg collection it depends on the anaesthetist as to whether I get conscious sedation or propofol sedation. My right ovary is well hidden so I’m hoping for propofol just so they can have a good manipulation and hope to get something from both! Like you, we’re just hoping to get even 1 egg! Anything will be a success at this point!

welcome to all the new guys too ❤️

Also glad I checked through my drug delivery - they’ve missed out one of my trigger shots 🤦🏼‍♀️
Going to call tomorrow and see if I can get an alternative testosterone gel too.