FET/IVF/ICSI - October 2033

[Lauralozzle]

Anyone due to start cycle/have transfer in October jump on board!

Little history:

TTC our first. Trying for 4 years. Officially unexplained but I only have one ovary that responds/works. Fertilisation issues. Positive Sperm Oxidative Stress Test (likely DNA Frag). So it’s really a bit of a mix.

Dec 22/Jan 23 - First ICSI cycle. 8 eggs, 6 mature, 2 fertilised. One poor blast to transfer. Nothing to freeze. BFN.

July 23 - Second ICSI cycle. Using AOA & ZyMot chip. 8 eggs, 8 mature, 4 fertilised. One fresh to transfer and 2 to freeze. BFN.

Oct 23 - First FET scheduled.

Currently waiting for my period to start so that FET cycle can start. Should start beginning of Oct, so FET likely towards end of the month.

It was a lot of follicles @marshk! Basically yes we knew it would be a freeze all. There's a weird moment during our treatment where they thought I had only a few follicles so gave me a HCG trigger so I could have a fresh transfer but I've no idea wtf that was about if I'm honest. My clinic don't think I had OHSS but I felt very bloaty/full/in pain and nauseous for two weeks. But I didn't have breathlessness, I just had zero energy and had to nap in between any activity. I had lots of coconut water and sports lucozade and protein and water as recommended. What ACTUALLY helped was normal lucozade. I just felt a million times better when I had that. There wasn't any point where I thought I needed medical attention or couldn't survive at home on my own.

It was "funny" because I felt so awful I didn't give a crap about the eggs/embryo updates until a week afterwards 😬 the embryologist was trying to break the drop off news to me gently but I genuinely just wanted to go back to sleep. So in one way I didn't have any of the anxiety during that time? (Trying to put a positive spin on it 😂).

@IVFKinster ah gosh I'm glad you weren't too poorly with it all. I've noted the normal lucozade tip! Timing wise for me then if I have egg collection towards end of October, I then have a period sometime early November. And then I'd have to wait until period in December to have a FET. Does that sound right?

@marshk In theory the timings you've suggested sound right for the way my clinic does things. I've seen some clinics like patients to have withdrawal bleed after egg collection, natural period and then start on the following natural period. So I think it can really depend!

There's a chance when I go for my first scan that I'll need to wait and extra cycle if my lining and/or ovaries aren't all recovered from IVF.

@IVFKinster

I see - I think the whole process has made realise that I'm a v impatient person 😂
When is your first scan?

@marshk I’m one of those where I had to wait a little longer.

Last cycle July. They wanted me to have withdrawal bleed following failed cycle, then a natural bleed and then the cycle following that one I’m good to go, which is why I’m doing this FET in Oct rather than Sept.

@Lauralozzle

Ah that makes sense - guess you just have to play it all by ear really and no use second guessing!

Hi all, @marshk recommended I join this thread as I’m starting my first ICSI cycle in October.

I’m new to IVF after ttc for over a year - I have 3 fibroids, tilted uterus and endometriosis and we also have MFI with 1% morphology so are having our first round of ICSI starting later this month. My AMH is 5.4 so low for my age as I’m 36. Drs have told us we will be lucky to have 1 viable embryo and very lucky to have 2….but trying to stay positive as I know 1 is all we need! 🤞🏻

Keen to hear all your journeys & share mine - I’m equal parts excited and anxious and feel like it’s all I can think about atm!

My first scan should be between days 1-3 of my next cycle. I thought my period would be due a week today but I've got quite a lot of ovary/period type pain today which feels a bit early so I'm wondering it's more likely to hit Thursday/Friday this week! I think it's actually normal for people to have to wait more than one bleed. I'm curious that my clinic are chill about that?

@Rosesinbloom19 welcome! We have morphology issues too at 1%. I don't have low AMH but suspect poor quality eggs due to PCOS and we got two embryos to freeze. Maybe you'll get less eggs but they'll be the best quality they can possibly be. Fingers firmly crossed you get a nice surprise!

@IVFKinster thank you so much! Great news you have two embryos on ice! Are you doing your first transfer in October? Sending you all the luck and positive thoughts your way!

I’m hoping that I’ve done as much as I can with diet, supplements, exercise, no alcohol/caffeine to help the egg quality but you never know until you go through your treatment! So while I feel I’ve given it everything I’ve got, it’s not a done deal and it’s all the variables that are making my head spin atm! Everything now is out of my control so just trying to keep the head but it’s hitting home now that it’s started!

@Rosesinbloom19 Welcome! I totally get the mix of excitement/anxiousness. Well done with the supplements/diet/no caffeine and alcohol! I know how much hard work that is. I hope I don’t have to have another egg collection because I think the 3 month prep before hand is harder than the injections and egg collection!

Just take it one day at a time. If you think of all the variables it just gets stressful, although that’s harder to do than say.

@IVFKinster I’ve been feeling crampy like my period might start soon these past few days too. Either it’s coming early or I’ve ovulated really late and it’s that!

@Rosesinbloom19 yes it'll be my first transfer hopefully in October 🤞🤞I think you've done all you can and everything else is sort of up to science and the universe! Dealing with all the unknowns and elements outside of your control is really hard. Is your partner taking any vitamins? As hard as it all might feel some times, you've got this and you just have to get through one step at a time!

@Lauralozzle I'm on board with no more egg collections and I've only had one! did you have any pain support for transfers? My clinic have offered sedation but I've refused as I a) want to be fully on earth for it and b) I do not react well to the sedation meds and it took 5 hours to be able to stand up without throwing up after collection! I'm nervous about if it hurts.

Would you prefer if your period started sooner? I'd be happy in one way but annoyed at having to cancel all the work I've put in 😂🤦

@Lauralozzle thank you! Omg the prep work is really tough but I really feel great with being so good to myself! 🥰 I’m kinda waiting for the calm before the storm however but trying to take each day as it comes! I’m keeping everything crossed you get your little miracle this time and don’t need to go through it all again! 🤞🏻

@IVFKinster aw best of luck for the transfer 🤞🏻 is it fresh or frozen? I’ve read that frozen can have a better chance as your bodies had a chance to calm down but we’ve been told it will be a fresh one for us.

yeah I agree, as you say we just need to leave it up to fate and the universe now 🤞🏻🥰 yeah my partners on all the supplements! I’ve been drugging up him for a while now - mostly ISWTE recommended and also from my acupuncture place. Hopefully we will see an improvement, we both are feeling good which is a bonus!

I'm also nervous about the transfer but more about the full bladder 😱 one of my fibroids presses on it so I’ll be lucky to make it without an accident lol! They say it’s just like a smear which is let’s face it….bloody awful but at least it is for the most amazing reason which hopefully will help! Wishing you the best when it comes! ❤️

@IVFKinster Nothing for transfer, it only lasts 5-10 minutes tops. You get in the hospital gown, go to theatre, legs up in stirrups, then it’s a bit like a smear. Longer and a bit more uncomfortable as they’re passing through your cervix into the womb rather than the little brush on your cervix they do for a smear. Mine wasn’t painful though, the most painful thing about it was the position of my legs cause it makes my hips ache a bit. I’m not very flexible and I tense up so have to try really hard to remain relaxed and floppy.

@Rosesinbloom19 My bladder wasn’t full enough last time but they still managed it! I’ll make sure it is this time. That’s also quite uncomfortable, needing to pee, having your womb being pushed down on with ultrasound and trying to remain relaxed and floppy without peeing on the consultants face!

Hello all, can I please join? I have started Testogel yesterday and egg collection should be end of October.

Background is:

Age 34
Extremely low AMH (1.7pmol)
TTC#2
Also dealing with a vasectomy (had after DC1 due to horrifically poor mental health which is now resolved) so having SSR
Started a cycle in August but it was cancelled CD9 due to COVID so this is second attempt to get to egg collection

Excited to get going but also nervous as know there is a risk of no or very few eggs. My cancelled cycle was going well however with six follicles growing well so fingers crossed I respond well again.

After my cancelled cycle I had to wait for a withdrawal bleed and then a natural period. I then do the Testogel for an entire cycle so it feels like a v long wait

Thanks @Rosesinbloom19 it'll be a frozen transfer hopefully all being well! I'm sure you'll be okay for having a full bladder, maybe try not to make it TOO full?! I wonder if a doctor has ever been wee'd on during? 😂 they do say they've seen it all!

That's helpful to know about the transfer. Thanks @Lauralozzle for sharing. I struggled with the stirrups for egg collection and the scans actually as I've got a bad hip. I'm fine staying in the position when I get to it but can't actually get to it very easily! I was surprised to be offered sedation for it as it sounds so short lived! I'll definitely be okay going without then 😊

Hi @Hopingforno2in2023 sorry about your cancelled cycle, what a nightmare. Is SSR something they can do at the clinic at the same time as egg collection? Hopefully you start off responding well this time too 🤞

Hope it’s ok for me to join in…I will be doing an egg retrieval/freezing for the first time EVER, starting meds sometime next week (Ovaleap 450iu) protocol.

Trying not to get my hopes up, have too many expectations as I know - no matter how healthy you are (and I am super healthy nutrition, exercise, etc) - certain things are just out of our control.

Background: I’m 37, married, husband believes we need to be in bigger house/have better stability before giving babies a GO (and I agree with him, except my eggs are not getting any younger and my fertility declined a lot in the last 1 1/2yrs 😭😭😭). Decided in the beginning of year to get at least 2 rounds of egg freezing done, so we can contemplate the possibility of children in a couple of years time.

My AMH was 5.1 in August (up from 3.9pmol in June) and my AFC base scan was 15. FSH blood results and AMH both indicated low ovarian reserve for my age.

Husband is 45 and also has issues, which is why we will only do an extra round of egg collection to create embryos once he has his situation sorted (might have to do sperm retrieval procedure, etc). He is terrified of getting that done (heck, he is very resistant even going to doctors) but he knows it needs doing so eventually we will get to it if needed be.

Hope we all have successful rounds of Stims/Retrieval/Transfer, whatever it may be. 🙏🏻

Hi @ViVRe
So you're freezing your eggs but not making embryos yet is that right? That's a tricky situation for you to be in. You sound like a very supportive partner. You're being very proactive freezing your eggs! I wish there was more awareness of egg freezing - it hadn't even occured to me as a possibility or a necessity when we kept putting off kids (until we had a house , until we were married, until I got a new job etc etc ). How are you feeling about starting meds? Will your husband go to any of your appointments with you and there for you on egg collection day?

@ViVRe Hello! Fingers crossed you get a good number of eggs to freeze! Ovaleap comes with a pen for injections which so much nicer than faffing around mixing drugs.

Your AFC isn’t too bad at all. Mine was 11 and I got 8 mature eggs. My AMH is fairly low (was 13 about 1.5years ago) so very likely reduced now.

Thanks @IVFKinster, the SSR will be done in the clinic as soon as they confirm that they have got eggs from me. They don’t want to do it in advance as due to my AMH there is a risk there will be no eggs to fertilise. Obviously I hope that there will be!

Good luck with the egg freezing @ViVRe, I hope you get plenty :)

Hey everyone,

I met @Lauralozzle on another forum and our ivf cycles although different have actually been close each time, so nice to be back to it at similar times again,

But of background info from me... ttc now for over 5 years, covid held up our IVF referrals and I had weight to lose, we are entitled to 3 rounds on the NHS.

Round 1 we ended up 5 fertilised eggs, and we got one top grade blast, which was successful and then sadly miscarried as it stopped growing ☹️ nothing to freeze.

Round 2 which was egg collection in aug, only got 3 eggs and only 1 fertilised, arrested on day 3, so nothing to transfer

Round 3 I started yesterday, long protocol with collection on 2/11 (hopefully) they have upped my menopur this time, I was on this the first round and I had a better outcome from it, I was on ovaleap 2nd round and it didn't seem to work as well for me... it is far easier to inject though.

Keeping my fingers crossed for this round! At this point I'm just not as excited, which is a shame, but it is what it is.
Fingers crossed for us all!

@Hopingforno2in2023 makes sense not to do the SSR in advance. Fingers crossed it all goes as easily as possible for you both! I think there's always a chance for everyone that there might no eggs or no embryos but we just have to wade through each step as it happens! The lack of control is hellish.

Hi @User491 ! What a difficult time you've had so far. I'm sorry about your miscarriage ☹️ I hope menopur being upped does the trick for you this time around. Was it long protocol before as well? Are the menopur injections bigger/scarier which makes them more difficult?

@User491 Hello again 😃

Are you down regging on buserelin? I can’t remember. I’m so happy you’ve started again. I said it in the previous thread, but hopefully this new cycle will give you something to focus on.

Anyone else feel like this week is dragging?