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 ❤️

My baseline scan is tomorrow morning and I start my clomid then too.

Morning all.
I am triggering tonight for egg collection early Wednesday morning @Helene2019 @GCS34 . Had my final scan this morning and I am feeling disappointed as do not have many mature follicles and worrying this cycle is not going to go well, but I’m trying my best to challenge this a bit!
@ttcsolomumtobe glad the side effects aren’t too bad. Yes I had 2 over that on Friday which was CD8 but they were already 12mm by CD4 so that’s what I meant about some responding very quickly!
Welcome @DauntedAF and good luck for your transfer x

@Helene2019 have you got 12 did I read? And have they given you estimate number of mature?

I’m tired but mostly from sleep being a bit shit cuz I am uncomfortable.
just out my final scan - hurrah - hit 50, with estimate of 25ish mature. Trigger tonight and they’re ringing me later for times etc.
theyre super worried about OHSS and have given me loads of drugs, a dedicated phone number, and a prescription for sickness and pain releif. They’re going to ring me every day post weds to check in, and bloods end of the week too.

@IVF23 woohoo twinning - me too! Just out my scan too. I’m sorry you’re feeling low 😓 what did they say - have you got your collection numbers and est mature? What times your EC weds?
I feel a bit scared to be honest - they’re on it with ohss for me which is good, but they’re also terrifying me by all the stuff they’re doing for me. It’s like it’s a guranatee it’s gonna happen or something!
ive also been told I’m gonna be in theatre for an hour due to how many! 🫣

@Loulaki my concentration has dropped big time! I'm still working but have book an extra day off this week just to do nice things. Not good with sitting around but starting to feel it a bit more now. On CD7.

@Helene2019 good luck for EC on Wednesday, sounds like you have good numbers, and thank you for the trigger info.

@IVF23 ahh get you would the quick responder. On CD4 I have 1 at 11 and 1 at 10, rest were much smaller. Today CD7 I have 1 at 15,1 at 14, 1 at 13, 2 at 12 and then a couple at each number lower. Really hoping the lower ones catch up and the bigger ones slow a big. Really hope there's only one over the line on Friday and then they will carry me on till Monday, I'm sure it could get uncomfortable but I know what I did IUI my follicles before insemination was at 18-22.

@GCS34 you are hanging in there sooo well, it's great your clinic are trying to give you the best chance at big numbers and good amount of mature eggs but also as you say concerns of OHSS. I guess if they have decided it's a freeze all cycle then that extra push isn't guna strain on your body for the fresh transfer, but still it's alot for a body. I have also been finding more trips to the loo!

What is the size required for a mature egg to be in a follicle?
Anyone else feeling like they don't have an appetite?

@IVF23 forgot to ask did they tell you want size your follicles were now and have they updated how many eggs they feel they may be able to collect? I'm sorry you're feeling disheartened, it's such a emotional rollercoaster isn't it

Hey @ttcsolomumtobe I had my final scan today and booked in for weds at 11am! Woohoo! We hit 50 follicles today, with estimate of around 20-25 mature, which is great! Yeah I think you're right on the extra few days to get the most out of the cycle. As much as I was frustrated, it betters our chances of success, so for that I can't be too mad. Just got to see how Weds goes and what we are working with!

And are your loo trips bladder or Bowel? 👀I'm struggling today but I think that's just lack of space more than anything! How are you finding the stims? And congrats on making it over the half way mark! Less stims left to go than you've done. That's always a nice feeling 🤗

Size wise, not sure if your clinic has that 'ideal size' chart, but for us that was 18mm and above, with 20-25mm being really ripe! I have a few 25s, with most between 14-22mm. I think they say anything 11mm and above has a good shot at being mature. And on average 1-2mm per day growth if that helps you at all?
Not sure if this will help, but for me, on Friday I had 1 at 18mm, and today I had 8-9 x 18mm and above so there is a lot of time for those others to catch up 😊

@GCS34 seriously, that's incredible numbers! And although it's daunting they have given you all this pain relief and emergency numbers for after EC it's good to know it's in place. I've been watching a few videos about how to recover after EC and it mentioned increasing sodium and potassium as this absorbs the extra fluid and get it's to your kidneys to flush out.

In recent days it's defo more bowel, usually I have to take laxido a couple of times a week and was worried that I would end up super constipated but the meds seem to have been an encourager for my bowels ha! And defo the lack of space in there abdomen will cause you to go to the bathroom more. I emptied my bladder and went straight in for my scan, and nearing the end of my scan she could see it filling up again ha. So been told to reduce my Fluid intake before next scan so they can get a better view. Not finding the stims as bad as I was preparing myself for, prior to fertility tests starting I was super needle phobic so blows my mind a little that I'm injecting myself. Minor headaches/lack of concerntration and bit of bloat but all very manageable.

Thank you so much for the reassurance, that's great growth. My clinic (same as @IVF23 ) has a 17mm line and once there are a few over that they look to book to trigger that day and book in EC. Really hoping I can do it Monday instead but will see what Wednesday brings, have to trust the clinic are doing the right thing, also my package is a fresh transfer so think you pay more if they end up as a freeze all.

Also, a further curious question from me, when you have been going for your scans have your clinic done blood tests too? I've been twice so far but they haven't done any blood tests, guessing they may only be needed for checking risk of OHSS? I feel like I expected more to be going on

@ttcsolomumtobe honestly I feel like I'm a freak the amount of people that are like WOAHHHH that is some crop you have going! I forget that it's not normal 😂And yeah absolutely - it's reassuring for sure, just a bit of a scare monger hearing it. Yeah I have been told that by them, and to have those electrolyte tablets you add to water, and the rehydration salts etc. So might be worth looking at them for you? I have some already from the gym, so I'm starting on them now.

Good news on your BM aah ha - and I am the same on the lax to help - I struggle with IBS so I think it goes either one way or the other. Week one was very frequent, week 2, opposite. that's amazing they could see it. Do you drink a lot of water too? I drink a real lot, but they said to carry on drinking loads as it'll help with OHSS? Wonder why they said to cut back? Or was it purely for the scan? That is an incredible turnaround for you to be needle-shy, to needle-pro! Kudos for being able to inject yourself! Have you started the antagonist yet to stop you ovulating?

Yeah definitely. How many have you got at present? And Have you got many at that ideal line? I was a bit like you that I was like I have to trust them, but when they made me carry on for another 3 days on Friday, I lost all trust haha! But after today's scan, seems worth it. So fingers crossed they keep you bubbling on a little longer.

@ttcsolomumtobe sorry I missed this a second ago! Yes I have blood tests every appointment, and i've been in for appointments every other day, so bloods are also every other day. I think they only do it towards the end maybe? Or if you're a risk patient? ?Not sure if it's normal to have them at EVERY scan like me, or if they did that for me just based on my numbers and my high AMH?

Question - personal if I may. Are you using a donor? Just based on what your name is (sorry if that is a bit personal). 😘

Yea the rehydration salts are mentioned as good so think tomorrow I will find some of those too. I usually drink alot of water because I've heard it helps egg development and yea cutting down was just for the scan as by the time she got to my left ovary and the position it was in my bladder was filling up and blocking the view.

Started cetrotide from day CD5 (on CD7 today). The ice pack defo helps!

That explains re tests, they have said at both scans "everything looks great" and that's it really. They gave me a print off of the follicle sizes today, will attache it, orange dots are left ovary and blue are right. None at the 17 yet but think as soon as a couple go over that's it, they don't hold off longer for the smaller ones. There were more smaller ones on my left side that she couldn't measure due to my bladder.

No it's fine, Yes I'm using donor sperm, I just picked the best suited one from the ones the clinic had, they only had 4 in total. When I did my IUIs I went all out and spent 3 months looking for the "perfect one", you get sooo much info and pics from the America site, it's madness. Think this time round I just wanted to keep things as simple and stressfree as possible and moving as quickly as possible really.

@ttcsolomumtobe i ordered some on Amazon with next day delivery. So maybe order some for tomorrow then you know you have stock in? I also went and bought some salted popcorn after work 😅 have you told your work what you’re going through or not? I love you drink loads like me. Most the time they just tell me I have a ‘very active bowel’ 😂🙈

Have they given you an estimate of numbers? And do you remember what you had at your baseline Antral count? Did you say Friday is pencilled in for EC?

that’s awesome what you’re doing. Kudos for you! Assume you’re not from America tho - were they just the donors? That’s really exciting and so ‘strong independent woman’ vibes! Do they give you a guaranteed sperm quantity / quality amount for them to be a donor

@ttcsolomumtobe 18 is a great amount!!! And you’ve still got another 5 days to go. X

@GCS34 Ooo yea that's a good shout, I signed up for amazon prime this month for bits like that. Love the popcorn! I have a list of foods that I'm guna try have more of between EC and Transfer to try reduce the chances of OHSS.
Yea my work know what I'm doing and have been really supportive which is great, I WFH but my job is quite emotional demanding and telephone/desk based so just guna see how I go after EC. Do your work know your situation?

I drink water even in the night, normally don't need to pee till I wake but defo waking to go to the bathroom now ha.

My baseline scan shows 29 follicles and the scan was done a couple of days after ovulation. They haven't given me an indicator of how many eggs they think I will get yet, will brave that question Wednesday, I didn't wanna have something else to be consumed by in the next 2 days, like you've said things can change with the follicles in that time. EC either Friday or Monday. But yes 18 so far, probably more like 22 as I saw 4 dots on the left that she didn't count cause of my bladder filling up. I'm trying not to have a number in my head atm.

My old clinic who I did IUI with had partnership with an American clinic, I liked their site as you could even filter to no health issues and see pictures of the donor and all sorts. I'm based in the UK.
Part of me has always thought I would be a solo mum but think we cling on to the social norms. I was due to a tart fertility treatment just as COVID hit and it all got stopped as I was under 35 then.

The sperm has to be a certain motility for the different fertility types. The plan is IVF but they may chance to ICSI on the EC day if needed. Really hoping it's not though.

Hiii how's everyone doing? I went for my first scan post starting of the protocol. The doctor said all looks good, and mostly I'll be at the end of my short protocol on Fri, which might end up being my egg collection day. I'll know on Weds for sure.
I'm nervous, excited, scared, anxious...

I'm also told the EC procedure will be under sedation.. I'm kinda worried about that as well.. is the anesthesia injected?

@GCS34 --- I'll be looking out for your update ☺️☺️ Wishing you the best!!!

So I had my egg collection yesterday - I was super-nervous but it was much less uncomfortable / scary than I expected. I just fell asleep in the theatre and then woke up in recovery! I feel fine so far but I've got another five days of dual injections to reduce OHSS risk... Better than OHSS I suppose. I slept all yesterday afternoon, but back at work today as normal.

From 37 follicles I only got 23 eggs though (14 mature), and only 10 have fertilized. So I'm feeling pretty devastated at how many are already gone. If the attrition continues at that rate, I'll end up with nothing good quality enough to freeze.@GCS34 I wish my clinic had taken the same approach for me as yours have for you, it sounds like they're expecting much better results.

Awww thank you @scaredynoob And don't worry! I promise I will report back tomorrow on how it is but don't worry - Have you had anesthetic before? Honestly it's class. You fall asleep then a second later you're in a room with your partner and a cuppa and biscuit! 🤗

Shout out to @Ellenn today! Good Luck Girl - Looking forward to hearing how it went and being here to help with the TWW for you 🤗

@EmmaLHG Welcome back!! How was the sleep? 😅23 eggs is a great turn out, and 14 mature is above the norm so well done to your ovaries for growing some good ones, and 10 fertilized is great too! Really sorry you're feeling low though. Honestly I think the biggest drop off is the bit you've done, I think you'll probably end up with 2 strong embryos (my prediction) but I imagine I'm going to be very similar - I'm worried a lot of my 50 are absolute crap and not even anything in them! are you on a Freeze-all or are you having a fresh? How is your partner too - he feeling positive or sad? I know but it's all speculation isn't it? No one has ever tested any of my eggs to see their quality so it's all subjective. And I'm expecting a biggggggggggg drop off tomorrow. We'll see.

Sending love to you x

@scaredynoob do you have another scan between now and Friday. Have they given you any ideas of how many follicles you have?

Sedation isn't so bad, the times I've had it I don't remember much and when given the proper recovery time I was fine, think will like be feeling more delicate after egg collection though.

@Ellenn good luck for today, hope you get some good results and some rest afterwards.

@EmmaLHG glad the procedure went well. I'm so sorry to hear of the drop off rate, I think having such a good number of follicles it's easy to hope for more. Do your clinic keep you updated each day or do you just find out on day 5 what the end figures are?

@GCS34 bet you just cannot wait for tomorrow now. Will be interesting to hear your number and glad your in the mindframe of expecting a drop off but do hope you come out with some great numbers!

Also can I ask is anyone finding their hips and back hurt more? I'm fine with the side effects (may regret saying that!) And they haven't been as bad as I was expecting. I've gone out for the day walking round a pretty nearby city, only done 11500 steps and honestly my hips hurt so much to the point it's worrying me that am I making it worse? Back at work the next 3 days (unless EC is Friday) so won't be doing as much and if EC is Monday I may just have to have a chill weekend, even though I'm terrible at chilling out!

@ttcsolomumtobe So sorry I missed your message last night. I was mid psyching myself to do my trigger. Ovitrelle is SO much better than bloody Bureselin - it's massive for a start, and really thick. Ovitrelle is just BAM and it's done with it being a Epi Pen.

Yeah I've got butterflies in my tummy but not sure if that's nerves, or excitement to get these bunches of grapes out me 😂I will of course update you all on the 50 follies. I'm going to estimate 18 mature. Please sent estimates over - I love a bit of guessing! haha.

AND YES on the back! Literally my lower back and pelvis - is like bone ache? I've found that the past 3 days so I feel like that too. I've been walking similar amount as you - aiming for 10k steps per day (mostly to help with the loo 👀) but yeah my back hurts as well.

Responding to your message last night. I too WFH - I work as digital marketing manager, so I manage my own diary and work. I haven't actually told them as I'm really paranoid about them being funny with me knowing that I'm going to be taking time off for Mat leave etc down the line. Very archaic mindset, but I work in Cybersecurity and IT, and it's a very male dominated environment. And I don't want to be penalised for it, that make sense? What do you work in? It's lovely they're supportive. And the Donor stuff sounds bloody fascinating! I listen to BFN podcast and the donor ones always intrigue me!

@GCS34 ooo glad to hear Ovitrelle is much easier and an epi style. Think by the time I get to trigger I will be glad for no more injections.

I feel like you are handling the drop off really well, I know I will be devastated by each one lost even though hopeful to get some good grade ones. I estimate 22!!!

Honestly dont know how you are managing to walk and be comfy with the 50ish, yes defo bone ache! Do you know how long you will have to wait to do a fresh transfer ?

That's good that you WFH and manage your own schedules, earlier to cover. Have you booked time off to recover after EC? I give benefit and welfare advice so nothing competitive but yea it must be hard in such make dominated environments. Have you seen the insta account "pregnantthenscrewed" that's really interesting about work rights for mother's/parents.

@EmmaLHG i am sure I saw somewhere that statistically it takes 10 eggs to result in one live birth with IVF so you may very well have your future baby in there! From reading other people’s stories 10 mature eggs usually results in more than one embryo so fingers crossed you get some to freeze!

I am v confused right now. My AF disappeared and my scan today showed a 16mm follicle but it may be a cyst. My clinic took bloods and I am now just waiting to see if AF returns. So typical that this month it messes me around.