IVF newbie

[ThesisthenaViva]

Hi there ladies!

I was hoping someone might be able to help me. My OH and I have decided to start IVF in October. We've done fertility checks and everything is OK but owing to our ages 39 and 51 we have come to the conclusion natural conception might not happen for us.
Anyway, could anyone succinctly break down the initial stages? I've been advised not to transfer straight away and wait a couple of months. Is this normal? I have a call with the co-ordinator scheduled for next week but it's always nice to hear from others.
Also it would be good to know if there is a better time in the month to start or does it not matter? Sorry if this sounds like a ramble and thank you in advance.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/what-happens/

Have a look at this. Every journey is very different so it's hard to break it down much further.

Everything will be timed to your individual cycle, there is no particular time.

Everyone you speak to will have a different protocol and different drugs.

Xx

@ThesisthenaViva also you may get your protocol and then things change depending on how your body reacts / doesn't react. Nothing is set in stone . Best advice I can give you is to trust the doctors and take things one day at a time. It took me a long time but I did get pregnant x

I am also due to start in October. Almost 38 here trying for number 1.
I'll be doing an FET, so I'll be having a transfer few months after collection.
My reason is risk of OHSS so they will give the body a few months to settle down before putting any embryo back in.

I also did genetic testing on my day five embryos which were then frozen as you can't do a fresh transfer as the results take a couple of weeks to come through. This could be another reason why people opt for frozen transfer x

@CR7 thank you so much for replying and for the link. I really appreciate it and the link was along the lines of the succinct information I was seeking. Congratulations on the pregnancy- I'm assuming your pregnant now? If you don't mind me asking...how long did it take? My OH and I are considering the PGTA testing....that seems like another complex decision. But as you said one day at a time!

Hi there @MoonlightDreamer
Snap!! I am also at risk of OHSS. It would be nice if the transfer could take place before the end of the year but I'm learning that patience in abundance is required for the TTC journey. How are you feeling about it all?

I am indeed; coming up for 20 weeks x

I will discount the nhs part of my treatment which was awful.

June 2022 tests with Care fertility (private) at age 41 with amh of 2.2 (mega low)

Decided to go for duo stim which I did last august

www.ivi.uk/blog/duostim-the-ivf-stimulation-protocol-designed-for-low-ovarian-reserves/

Got three embryos through pgta.

Had an unsuccessful transfer at the end of last year and subsequently had some investigations (Hysteroscopy and EndemeTRIO ) which revealed I had a displaced implantation window. Basically I needed drugs for a day longer than normal before the transfer.

Armed with all this info we did a transfer in April which worked. I also had a progesterone test on transfer day this time which revealed I was lacking and needed more drugs.

Ivf is very much trial and error. Sadly most first rounds don't work but with good doctors looking after you, the info will help the next round xx

@ThesisthenaViva are you going private?

Awh 20 weeks!!! Fantastic news! Will this be your first? Has the pregnancy been OK besides the initial IVF process? It sounds like the medical team you had around you knew what they were doing to make the second cycle a success!!

We are going private, I think had I acted sooner with the TTC process we could have waited for the NHS cycle. But I didn't so here we are!!!

@ThesisthenaViva yes this is my first and even though we have another in the freezer, probably our last. When the baby comes, all being well, I'll be 43 🫠🫠

I feel like I've got my karma back.

Not been sick once
No cravings
No swollen ankles
No exhaustion.

I'm very lucky x

Glad you're going private. It's so much quicker and such better service (as it should be)

@CR7
Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy! It's been lovely chatting with you and thank you so much for the advice! 👌🏽😊

@ThesisthenaViva I'm honestly dreading it but at the same time I'm excited that we're finally making progress as I felt everything was on standstill for years with covid and we waited 4 years to get to this point on waiting lists.
I'm trying to be hopeful but I just can't help but think of all the things that can go wrong

@MoonlightDreamer I feel somewhat similar. I'm excited as it's progress but nervous about the physical aspect. I'm ready to deal with the hope and disappointment. Try and remain positive, you've finally got to this stage and you're still motivated to have a baby. It will happen for you! Xx

@MoonlightDreamer @ThesisthenaViva all you can do is take it slowly. Be realistic but hopeful. Listen to the doctors. Some brilliant groups on here to help and you can always ask me any questions.

@CR7 awh thanks 😊 means a lot. This journey is pretty 💩 and lonely 🙁

It can be. I went through most of mine alone but mumsnet can be really helpful if you stick to the fertility forums x

Hi @CR7 wonderful news that you are pregnant. Can I ask which clinic you used for duo stim please? Thanks

@pooeylouie care fertility in Manchester. Not everywhere does it as it's quite new x

Duo stim is not for everyone and it's very pricey. If you are short on time due to age and you have low amh it could definitely be for you x

@CR7 thanks so much. Yes, just reading the article you posted, only presented for study 2 years ago! Extremely interesting. Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy x

One really important thing that I would like to tell you all, is not to stress out if you don't get many eggs collected. My first round of duo stim I only had five eggs collected, but all five fertilised, I was able to send three away for testing, and two came back perfect.

A friend of mine who has a much higher AMH had approximately 60 eggs collected over the course of her IVF rounds. Sadly, none of them made it to day five. Please please don't be disheartened if you only get a few eggs collected. It doesn't mean your chances are lower. Some doctors prefer just a few as there is a better chance of quality and all eggs being mature.

@CR7 and unfortunately yes to both of the above :(

Thankmyoin@pooeylouie xx here's hoping xx

Mine worked. I can only tell you about me. 41 last year (it's actually a year to the day!) when the eggs were collected the first time. My amh was 2.2. Though the bloody floor low, and here I am, almost 20'weeks pregnant at 42 with one safe in the freezer xx

@CR7 does give me some (much needed) hope... thank you xx