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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

First IVF round with ABC fertility Aug 2023

16 replies

Lolly2507 · 08/08/2023 21:11

Hello lovely people,
I'm due to start my first round with ABC this month just waiting for AF to rear her ugly head then we're a go.
I am 32f and my partner is 32m with 'unexplained' aka under researched fertility trying for our first.
We decided to do mild ivf from information I had read on here so thank you all! I have an amh of 42 (no pcos symptoms besides this) so I'm hoping to escape OHSS with less stims.
Anyways just somewhere for me to vent and probably talk to myself found so much peace reading similar threads so hope mine might do the same for one other person.
Trying to be the right amount of excited and nervous right now!!!

OP posts:
Lolly2507 · 08/08/2023 21:13

Oh one of the things I wanted to mention as I couldn't find anyone in a similar situation but re telling work seems like a LOT of people decide not to say anything and ofc I understand the reasoning behind that.
I ended up telling my manager last week and its been a weight off my shoulders she was really lovely and now I'm not concerned about thinking of convincing lies for all of my appointments!

OP posts:
Magic2023 · 09/08/2023 03:54

Which clinic are you with? We are with abc Wimbledon. They have been really nice so far. Our first fet didn't work but on meds for 2nd as we speak. Its nerve wracking and alot more stressful than I thought!

ttcsolomumtobe · 09/08/2023 09:49

Hi @Lolly2507 I'm with ABC (so all info is based on my clinic, some may vary slightly), I have just gone through it so sorry if the following is a super long reply but hopefully helps as know I searched high and low for detailed reviews and didn't find many.

I opted to do the mild IVF after 3 failed IUIs (unmedicated - also at a diff clinic) as I found the IUIs and more the let down really hard so worried I wouldn't deal with stronger medication of full on IVF - as it turned out I feel I've managed the meds fairly well once I got over the injecting myself part. I have found ABC wonderful and so helpful so far, I just completed a day 3 transfer on Monday and genuinely feel like they have gone out their way to support. I like that they explain things on your scans and it was nice I got some pictures of scans during the process, I like that it feels they are a team and in it together. I was with Care previously and you could feel staff tension there and honestly didn't find them great at all.

I think aslong as you go into the process mindful that mild IVF will likely yield less eggs but hopefully of a better quality so you set your expectations. My clinic only collect eggs from the follicles that are 11mm as anything smaller will not be mature, I say this as some clinics collect all eggs and unless you are doing ICSI they cannot tell what's mature so there can be a massive drop off initially. I am waiting on my day 5 call so haven't yet put out my numbers online but can share later if you would be interested?

With ABC they don't over stimulate you, they are very focused on your well being, due to this I didnt have any blood tests during my stims which worried me a little but I trusted them and have been really well, others is the August forum has struggled really bad with OHSS. As soon as 3 follicles were above the 16mm they booked my EC.

I found it really good that they aim to start treatment within 3 months of the scans if all is okay, you don't have to, there's no pressure but it keeps costs down regarding redoing bloods and scans again. I actually postponed by a month as AF arrived 4isj days early and it would have meant doing injections on a train and carrying a cool bag around as I had booked a 2 day trip in before I thought I would be due to start, when I called them frantically and worrying they agreed postponing was a good idea and gave me lots of reassurance that a shorter period and shorter bleed can be normal.

Re the work thing, I have told my manager and they have been as supportive as can be, you kinda need that for appointment times as and also taking clinic calls with updates. Some people get signed off for 2 weeks, I didn't feel that was needed as work is a good distraction. I was due to work yesterday and today but EC to day 3 transfer seemed to be such a whirlwind (again ABC were amazingly supportive during some difficult decisions) that I took them off as sick. I also do a job where I work with vulnerable people and hear some very sad things so I didn't feel it would be fair on them to not be getting my 100%, my work were fine with it and said very kind words about looking after myself and not to under estimate what you body has gone through. Feel like as I haven't struggled with the meds like I expected to it all just feels a bit surreal.

Hope this helps and good luck with your cycle

Barbs3116 · 09/08/2023 12:00

Hi, thanks for sharing your experiences. I listened to a webinar with ABC yesterday and they seem good! DP and I are thinking of going ahead in the next couple of months with either ABC or Kind, we’ve been holding off as much as possible as we can’t find any issues from the tests we’ve had but I’m losing patience now and at 35 (DP is nearly 43) we want to just get moving! I will tell work when the time comes…it takes the pressure off all the appointments as you say.
@ttcsolomumtobe its great to hear that everything is going well for you, and the meds haven’t been too hard. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and @Lolly2507 best of luck with yours too! Please keep us posted with how you’re doing 😊

ttcsolomumtobe · 09/08/2023 12:29

@Barbs3116 @Lolly2507 if you sign up to the webinar I think you sometimes get your initial scan/bloods cheaper, I think they sent me an email after. Also if you have multiple locations options (I had Leeds/manc/Sheffield as options) you can can save on that initial fee too and also shorter dated appointments. I would say hold off doing your initial checks until you know you are certain and ready, just because of scans and bloods being valid for 3 months, saves you paying again. Good luck you all x

Barbs3116 · 09/08/2023 12:45

Yes I thought that was good, they sent a £50 discount code after the webinar. It was also nice to see some of the team, the nurse seemed really understanding and knowledgeable - exactly what you want when going through such a stressful time. @ttcsolomumtobe how long until you can take your test? Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼

ttcsolomumtobe · 09/08/2023 12:48

@Barbs3116 21st! Feels like forever away but think I will hold out to OTD as the line stress seems just too much

Barbs3116 · 09/08/2023 12:53

Ahh that’s so exciting!! Definitely a time to arrange lots of things to try and distract you (easier said than done I know!) Good idea to hold out, it’s hard not to become obsessed with testing on a normal month so even more so going through IVF I imagine. Sending lots of positive vibes your way 😊

ttcsolomumtobe · 09/08/2023 18:21

Thank you @Barbs3116 ☺️

Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:08

I know what you mean, I'm with Loughton, our patient coordinator is lovely bit clearly overworked so its been a bit stressful getting there!
Did you decide to do a FET or did you suffer with OHSS?
Fingers and toes crossed for you x

OP posts:
Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:12

Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:08

I know what you mean, I'm with Loughton, our patient coordinator is lovely bit clearly overworked so its been a bit stressful getting there!
Did you decide to do a FET or did you suffer with OHSS?
Fingers and toes crossed for you x

I'm such a noob haha sorry @Magic2023 this was a reply to you 💜

OP posts:
Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:15

ttcsolomumtobe · 09/08/2023 09:49

Hi @Lolly2507 I'm with ABC (so all info is based on my clinic, some may vary slightly), I have just gone through it so sorry if the following is a super long reply but hopefully helps as know I searched high and low for detailed reviews and didn't find many.

I opted to do the mild IVF after 3 failed IUIs (unmedicated - also at a diff clinic) as I found the IUIs and more the let down really hard so worried I wouldn't deal with stronger medication of full on IVF - as it turned out I feel I've managed the meds fairly well once I got over the injecting myself part. I have found ABC wonderful and so helpful so far, I just completed a day 3 transfer on Monday and genuinely feel like they have gone out their way to support. I like that they explain things on your scans and it was nice I got some pictures of scans during the process, I like that it feels they are a team and in it together. I was with Care previously and you could feel staff tension there and honestly didn't find them great at all.

I think aslong as you go into the process mindful that mild IVF will likely yield less eggs but hopefully of a better quality so you set your expectations. My clinic only collect eggs from the follicles that are 11mm as anything smaller will not be mature, I say this as some clinics collect all eggs and unless you are doing ICSI they cannot tell what's mature so there can be a massive drop off initially. I am waiting on my day 5 call so haven't yet put out my numbers online but can share later if you would be interested?

With ABC they don't over stimulate you, they are very focused on your well being, due to this I didnt have any blood tests during my stims which worried me a little but I trusted them and have been really well, others is the August forum has struggled really bad with OHSS. As soon as 3 follicles were above the 16mm they booked my EC.

I found it really good that they aim to start treatment within 3 months of the scans if all is okay, you don't have to, there's no pressure but it keeps costs down regarding redoing bloods and scans again. I actually postponed by a month as AF arrived 4isj days early and it would have meant doing injections on a train and carrying a cool bag around as I had booked a 2 day trip in before I thought I would be due to start, when I called them frantically and worrying they agreed postponing was a good idea and gave me lots of reassurance that a shorter period and shorter bleed can be normal.

Re the work thing, I have told my manager and they have been as supportive as can be, you kinda need that for appointment times as and also taking clinic calls with updates. Some people get signed off for 2 weeks, I didn't feel that was needed as work is a good distraction. I was due to work yesterday and today but EC to day 3 transfer seemed to be such a whirlwind (again ABC were amazingly supportive during some difficult decisions) that I took them off as sick. I also do a job where I work with vulnerable people and hear some very sad things so I didn't feel it would be fair on them to not be getting my 100%, my work were fine with it and said very kind words about looking after myself and not to under estimate what you body has gone through. Feel like as I haven't struggled with the meds like I expected to it all just feels a bit surreal.

Hope this helps and good luck with your cycle

@ttcsolomumtobe aww I'm so glad it's all been relatively plain sailing for you, long may it continue.
I agree my clinic weren't pushy either I actually went for a create fertility scan and the lovely nurse explained I was eligible and I didn't have to pay so much etc. I had some monitored cycles (clomid/letrozole) with another clinic who was the total opposite.
For once I'm praying for AF to arrive so I can crack on and start!

OP posts:
Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:18

Barbs3116 · 09/08/2023 12:00

Hi, thanks for sharing your experiences. I listened to a webinar with ABC yesterday and they seem good! DP and I are thinking of going ahead in the next couple of months with either ABC or Kind, we’ve been holding off as much as possible as we can’t find any issues from the tests we’ve had but I’m losing patience now and at 35 (DP is nearly 43) we want to just get moving! I will tell work when the time comes…it takes the pressure off all the appointments as you say.
@ttcsolomumtobe its great to hear that everything is going well for you, and the meds haven’t been too hard. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and @Lolly2507 best of luck with yours too! Please keep us posted with how you’re doing 😊

Ah i know what you mean @Barbs3116 We were in a similar boat holding off as my amh was good, thyroid fine, his sperm fine etc etc so we held off but I guess I wanted to feel more control over the situation? Like @ttcsolomumtobe I've found ABC great so far my patient coordinator and nurse have been really lovely, my nurse is hilarious makes you forget what you're actually there for if that makes sense just all seems a lot less doom and gloom!
Wishing you all the luck in your journey whatever you decide x

OP posts:
Barbs3116 · 09/08/2023 22:36

@Lolly2507 that’s exactly what I feel!! The lack of control and disappointment every month. I’m reassured hearing about your experience so far and the nurse being great, now I just need to persuade DP to crack on with it!
Hope everything goes really smoothly for you😊

Magic2023 · 21/08/2023 22:15

Lolly2507 · 09/08/2023 21:12

I'm such a noob haha sorry @Magic2023 this was a reply to you 💜

That's OK, I was at high risk after 31 eggs collected so they decided on a fet. X

Lolly2507 · 22/08/2023 05:05

Magic2023 · 21/08/2023 22:15

That's OK, I was at high risk after 31 eggs collected so they decided on a fet. X

Yeah its looking like that's what might happen with me now. They've given me letrozole too to take until EC day x

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