FET/IVF July 2023 - Thread 2

[Olivia199]

Right. Sorry I've I missed any of you....!

@10degreessunny
@loulamay
@Lauralozzle
@ASGIRC
@TTCbabyno2in2022
@orchid29
@ttcsolomumtobe
@Walker12
@Bristol1988
@SH998
@Ivfround1
@wtawtaw
@IVFfirsttimer91

@Calla2 - I'm sorry you're feeling like this lovely, I hope the call to the clinic goes well today and everything is okay!

@LittleAm - I hope you have a lovely time in London for your birthday! (And happy birthday). 😊
No tips on the positivity I'm afraid. My first pregnancy I spent absolutely terrified the whole way through. Nothing really got me into that positive frame of mine. I'm not sure what it is about this one but I do feel miles better. I think for the most part it's just a case of taking it a day at a time where you can.

@Calla2 welcome, I really hope you get a good result today.

@ttcsolomumtobe re. beetroot there is a brief useful summary here- https://hsfc.org.uk/beautiful-beetroots/

@LittleAm I really try to stay positive and I think part of that comes with focusing on the stuff you can influence and trying not to get too caught up on worrying about the rest.. I say that knowing I don't always do that myself though, and also knowing I am in the privileged position if this being my first round - completely appreicate this all must be much harder for those who have had a few tries already.
But I am really trying to just accept at this point I can influence what I eat and drink for example, how I spend ny time, but pretty much nothing I can do will have any influence on whether my embryo implants or not (and in past stages, whether the stims worked, whether my eggs fertilised etc). Try to fill your time with things that are meaningful/important to you- trip to London sounds lovely!!
As I say I realise this is by no means easy and this is such a tense and draining process.
I am 4dp5dt today and not feeling any sort of symptoms at all, but trying to hold all of this in mind and planning some nice things for myself after work!

@loulamay unexplained infertility, 2 miscarriages before starting IVF in 2020. 2 failed transfers, one chemical and a miscarriage but successful pregnancy from 2021, transfer date with last frostie tbc but likely 03/07/21, current status: hanging in there, waiting for lining to thicken!

@IVFfirsttimer91 Diagnosis Male infertility, round 2 IVF with first resulting in blighted ovum, transfer date 3/7/23 currently 6 weeks pregnant and waiting for early scan on the 7th :)

@Lauralozzle TTC 4 years. Officially unexplained diagnosis but I only have one ovary that works and DH likely has DNA fragmentation issue. Lowish AMH for my age. First cycle Jan 23 which failed. No Frosties. Second cycle July 23, 8 eggs collected, all mature and 4 fertilised. Transfer tbc (likely 29th July).

@Olivia199 solo mother by choice. ICSI in 2020 which was a freeze all. First FET resulted in my DD in Sept 21. Second FET was 20th July and positive today on day 5.

@Bristol1988 first round ICSI, MFI. Transfer 24/07/23, avoiding shops that sell pregnancy tests at the moment ;-)

@wtawtaw TTC for 3.5 years, stage 3 endo 2 years in, surgery to remove. No other factor. IVF #1, 2 embryos transfer, both failed, no Frosties. IVF 2: 1 transferred and 6 in the freezer. Currently 4+6 - I'm still hoping I'm pregnant!! Viability scan on 10/08 🤞🏻

@AnaS86 first round after an ectopic, three very early miscarriages and an mmc at 12 weeks. Transfer 22/07/23 and 6 embryos frozen.

@Fluxie Coil injury causing multiple pelvic abscesses in 20s and 30s. One ovary stuck to back of uterus, other is doing its own thing. Low amh. 11 eggs collected, 10 fertilised, 4 blasts. ET last Sunday.

@SH998 TTC for 7 years, unexplained infertility, 2 collections, currently on the 4th transfer. Miscarried after first transfer, next 2 transfers failed. This FET date was 13/7/23 and currently 12dp5dt and got BFP on 5dp5dt. 3 embryos still in the freezer. OTD is 27/07/23

@Keepingeverythingxxx Unexplained infertility & very low AMH. Currently doing our 6th round of IVF. 2nd round in 2017 resulted in our DD. We used donor eggs for the last 3 rounds but unfortunately miscarried last year at 8wks. I’m now almost 7wks pregnant after ET on 24th June. First scan on 20th July went really well. Holding out for my 8wk scan on 3rd August

@21C TTC 2 years, MFI straight to ICSI - 1st round 15 eggs collected only 2 fertilised and only 1 made it to day3, fresh transfer but failed. Now onto 2nd round - 20 eggs collected only 2 fertilised both made it to day5 blast, one transferred and one frozen. Test date 29th 🤞🏼

@ASGIRC Single mom by choice, not using own eggs due to age and carrier for genetic illness. FET on 19/07/23 of a donor embryo. First faint positive at 4dpt, stronger on 6dpt. OTD on 28/07/23

@10degreessunny PCOS, In my first FET cycle, transfer date 28/07/2023, current status: seriously hating progesterone

@1yearTTC 2 years TTC, currently on first round of IVF, have had 5 embryos frozen, so now waiting to have my transfer (was at risk of OHSS). Having a natural cycle to see how that goes so currently on CD9 waiting for a smiley to show ovulation before my transfer.

@Labradoodlepup 2 years TTC, MFI. Egg collection was in May, 24 eggs collected, 23 fertilised and 8 frozen. Ended up with OHSS so transfer was delayed and I’ve been climbing the walls waiting. Transfer 26/07/23

@Walker12 unexplained infertility, 1 early miscarriage. Currently in TWW of 1st IVF round (NHS), 9 eggs collected, 8 fertilised and 5 made it to blasts. 1 fresh transfer on 23.07 and the rest are in the freezer. OTD 5th Aug but I won't be able to hold out that long!

@Ivfround1 infertility due to issues with my tubes (just how I was born) they are not blocked but have these weird ridges all over them that would make it almost like a maze for egg and sperm to get to making it almost impossible to get pregnant. And when I did years ago it was an ectopic. 1st time with ivf so just found that out this year! We got 2 frozen embryos in the spring and one was transferred 7days ago. Getting strong positive lines and feeling insanely blessed.

@TTCbabyno2in2022 secondary unexplained infertility. Our son is 5 years old. Been TTC for just over 2 years. Currently in our first round of IVF, had 1 embryo transfered on 19th and 2 in the freezer. Had a faint positive test yesterday and today (7dp5dt) OTD is 31st July

@ttcsolomumtobe doing IVF solo after 3 failed IUIs last year. No known infertility issues. Doing Mild IVF. On CD2 after a delayed period and just done my first bemfola injection. First scan/bloods due Friday at 7.30am

@Calla2 ttc 2 years with no success. Had our first IVF ICSI with fresh transfer 16th July. Had a positive first response last night 9dp5dt.

@LittleAm Third round. scan on 31st July as my scan last Friday showed that my lining wasn’t quite there yet.

@orchid29 shared motherhood, 1st transfer negative, atm 9p5dt for second transfer, tested faint positive since 5dp5dt and have been obsessing about lines not getting stronger since ;-)

@Walker12 thanks for the beets info, luckily for me I really like them, even the juice 😂

Also just wanted to say your reply about your perspective and what you can control is so on point ! I will likely read it a few times over in the coming weeks, because although we know it, sometimes we need that little rews as a reminder

@ttcsolomumtobe we definitely all need the reminders don't we, and this thread is so supportive.
Glad you are a beetroot fan, I do like beetroot but the juice is something else 😂

@Walker12 fab info - am throwing blueberries on top of my granola to go alongside my juice for breakfast!

@Calla2 so sorry that you're feeling anxious. Let us know what the clinic says x

@LittleAm I totally understand your fears. The only way I could get through was by only looking ahead to the next milestone or scan. I have an app called 'countdown' and I would put the dates of scans or appointments in it so that it told me how many days until such and such and then I just focused on getting through to the next one. I'm also someone who feels better when they are outside so I spent a lot of time on dog walks! There's an app/podcast called Mindful IVF I think that a lot of people seemed to like, and the Calm app is also good.

Having a rough day here (I'm in South Africa for those that might have missed it - we started IVF here before relocating back to the UK, so am here by myself to transfer our last embryo). Missing home like crazy and stressing about tomorrow's lining scan, then stressing more that the stress is not going to help the transfer! Christ! it's such a tough journey. Thank goodness for forums like these where people understand what you're going through.

Hang in there everyone! 💪

Oh @loulamay, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. It must be so hard being away from your family. Hopefully tomorrow's lining scan shows all the excellent progress and little embryo is ready to go back! What times the scan?

In terms of anxiety, the one thing I struggle with is switching my brain off at night. Less so at the moment on the basis that I'm exhausted after the busy days but I'll still lay there and just THINK constantly. I found the sleep stories on headspace really helped. I can focus on that and be off in seconds. Cat marina is a good one! It's gotten me through a LOT in life.

Thank you! My Dr is normally in theatre on Fridays so I have to wait until later today for his secretary to confirm the time. I have booked myself a massage tomorrow lunchtime so hopefully any time but that! Am also meeting up with some friends for dinner tomorrow night so praying for a good scan and then I can have a nice fun evening 👯

@Walker12 is beetroot juice good to drink during the 2ww? I think I can just buy them raw and juice them if so!

So I went into central London yesterday, I found it DEEPLY STRESSFUL, rush hour, crowds, rain, no ubers. I'd normally be okay but I was a mess. I got soaked, left my wallet on the bus - but luckily some amazing young man found it and dropped it at my house on his bike at 10pm. Faith in humanity restored!!

Anyway... this misadventure really made me think about how much activity is right for the 2ww. I'm very lucky in that I'm freelance writer and so I haven't taken on any work that I have to do in this period. Are people back at work? Navigating transport systems? Going to the gym etc?

In other news... one of my dear friends is having a baby shower the day before my OTD. I wasn't sure whether I'd be up to it and thought that I wouldn't want to go if my test was negative. I decided instead to use this a reason not to test until the day after- so that I can be there to celebrate with her unmarred by my own emotions.

@Olivia199 thanks for the sleep stories recommendation. I often struggle to sleep but take CBD - I don't think it's approved for pregnancy so I'm missing the crutch! Does anyone know if its safe to take melatonin during 2ww?

@loulamay best of luck! I had a massage the day before ET and it really helped to chill me out. Can't recommend enough.

Hey everyone!

@loulamay Im sorry youre feeling like that. Hoefully the scan tomorrow will go well and then youll feel a bit better!

@Fluxie Im 100% doing my life as normal. Work, public transport... The only thing I havent done is socialise much, but thats cause the shifts Ive been on are not conducive to it.
Currently on 2 weeks straight without a day off!!

Not gonna lie, I am slightly freaking out. Ok, Ive got my positive, but what if it doesnt evolve?
After my clearblue test I was ready to tell the world, and now I just... dont.
I can deal with a loss on my own, but I dont think I can deal with having to tell people about it as it happens.

Today when I tested, I dont know why, but I was expecting the line to show up straight away, and it took a while for it to show, so that worried me again...

I guess Ive just read too many stories of loss on these and other boards, and while I have no history of infertility, and my embryo is from young donors, I just cant help but think that things might not work out...

@loulamay - Ooh a massage and a fun evening sound delightful. I hope you enjoy both!!

@loulamay Thinking of you - hopefully your lining is good to go on your next scan. It must be hard being away from your family.

@Fluxie I’m back at work. WFH at the moment though until I’m a bit more comfortable. I’m a bit more uncomfortable this time after egg collection but I think that’s because I had a bit of a bleed at the end of collection this time. I’m a bit tender and sore down there so to speak.

@ASGIRC How you’re feeling is totally understandable. If this works, I think I’ll be very guarded and keep it to ourselves for as long as possible.

CARE don’t give updates, so I have no idea if my embryos are still alive and kicking but I’ve been given a time for Saturday transfer on the portal. Transfer is at 10:50. Hopefully that means one is still plodding along. I can’t imagine they’d send that if they’ve all just stopped - I’ve never asked, to be fair. It’d be bloody cruel if they did!!

@ASGIRC That's good to hear you're doing life as normal, there have been so many mixed messages from doctors, nurses and online. My husband got back at 1am last night and then had to do my jab. I was not happy and didn't sleep. I feel like not pushing things to extremes is perhaps the way.

I do really think it would be wise to tell someone you trust about your situation. It's not a good idea to go through it on your own whatever the outcome. I've been the opposite and told everyone I've seen. I think it's just felt better to be open about the situation. Friends have been so supportive and I think it's an important part of removing the stigma around IVF. But you must find a balance that works for you.

@Fluxie - oh gosh, what a crazy busy day you had, no wonder you were stressed! So I'm back to work, doing the commute from hell due to training in a different hospital for two weeks, and also chasing round a VERY active nearly 2 year old. We've been to soft play, science museums and various other fun places. My first TWW I spent 99% of my time chilled on the sofa. It would seem it doesn't matter either way and is more around what you find easier to manage. If you're someone who likes to keep busy to pass the days then absolutely do so! If not then take it easy..
They tend to just say keep activity levels normal for you.

That sounds like a lovely idea to enable you to be there for your friend.

The NHS says use of melatonin isn't suggested in pregnancy and that our natural levels rise as it is. However hopefully the pregnancy exhaustion will have you off to sleep soon enough. I've just taken an hour and a half nap with my DD. 😂

Oh @ASGIRC - I'm so sorry you're feeling like that. It's so so hard and that's exactly how I felt for my while first trimester at least with DD! It's such an all consuming worry. Do your clinic offer any counselling sessions at all? Just remember all your feelings are valid and get to be felt. The happiness and the fear! Taking one appointment at a time helped me sort of. Just make it to test day... to scan... to end of meds.. to scan..
You've got this!

@Fluxie Oh, everyone Ive ever MET knows Im doing IVF. They just dont know Ive already done the transfer.
I didnt want people to ask me if I was pregnant yet, or if I had any news or anything, so I decided to keep it a secret from everyone in real life.
There is literally only one friend who knows Ive done a transfer last wednesday.

Obviously I will start telling people at some point soon... But now Im debating how soon, and maybe I wont be telling anyone too soon!

@Lauralozzle I definitely think if you have a transfer time, that is it probably good news! Though surely, if they know on day 3, they could update you on how it is going so far?!

@Olivia199 I know. Im usually very level headed.

I will be heading to work soon, so wont be able to think about that. Those are usually morning/test thoughts!

OTD tomorrow! Need to go to my clinic, as otherwise Ill have to pay for the test, which is inconvenient, but OTD!!!
Hope the numbers are good tomorrow and indicate a good development of the pregnancy.

@ASGIRC Wishing you all the best for tomorrow. Glad you've told someone- no harm in keeping it to yourself I think if that feels right! Hope work isn't too strenuous for you.

@Olivia199 Glad you can find some time to rest with so much going on!! I feel really guilty that I'm not working, but every time I open my writing I just feel like I can't do it. And then I feel anxious about overdoing it, where's the middle ground??!!

@Fluxie - Oh bless you lovely, please do not feel bad. I can 10000% promise you I'd not be at work at the first opportunity. It's more just to reassure you that you won't overdo it and that it's all about taking it at YOUR pace. I was off last time and the most involved I got with moving was do bake a just add water lemon drizzle cake. Then eat the whole thing.

@Fluxie Honestly, people get pregnant in all sorts of situations. My transfer doctor told me to resume normal life completely, straight after the transfer.
There is no indication that taking it easy will help.
Obviously, stress DOESNT help, but a lot of people would be more stressed at home doing nothing than going back to work and focusing on something else.

My advice is to not sweat the small stuff, but I also understand that that is easier said than done.

I know my worries are also a bit unreasonable. So Im not letting it get me down.
Im off to work now, so wont have time to dwell on it until tomorrow!!!

@ASGIRC - Eeeep! How exciting for test day! Got everything crossed for the blood test.

I've just realised I think part of my exhaustion may well be because I have a chesty cough... worry I'm coming down with something because I feel absolutely knocked out. Poor DD is having a lot of screen time today while I quietly lay on the sofa. Though obviously could be the meds, the pregnancy or the fact work is manic, as is home with the little one.

@ASGIRC will be thinking of you!! any idea how long you have to wait for results?