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.

@IVFKinster thank you for replying. It made me feel better. Hopefully I just need to adjust as you said. At the moment I feel like absolute garbage

@Melisss I am so sorry you are feeling this way. I actually had something similar. I normally get migraines and was told not to take anadin (it's the only thing that helps) so on day 2 I got a very bad headache that I was throwing up all night and I felt so bad I wanted to just stop the whole thing. In the morning I called and they said that I can surely take the painkillers and it was just a "recommendation" 🙃
I also felt nauseous all the time whilst on meds.
I am finally feeling fine (3 days past egg collection).
I understand it seems tough at this stage, but time is going quickly. Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest x

Hi all, I’ve missed a couple of days so trying to catch up! Sorry to anyone I miss..

@SunsetsAndSandwiches great numbers, you must be so pleased.

@IVFKinster @Lauralozzle @IVFDublin TWW is tough, although I’m feeling a bit detached or something the past couple of days. I’ve been busy which helps. But I think the second week is going to be way worse. I’m booked into the clinic on the 6th (14dp3dt) for a blood test, I didn’t even ask about testing early as I knew they’d just say not to! I think I might test on Thursday which will be 10dp3dt.

@Lauralozzle hope you’re feeling better today x

@MoonlightDreamer fingers crossed you’ll have 2/3 blasts tomorrow and transfer will go smoothly. I’m using the progesterone gel too, sounds like we’re getting off lightly, the pessaries do not sound pleasant!

@IVFDublin I think it’s homemade mayo you need to watch because it’s made with raw egg, but even that is fine if made with pasteurised eggs I think. Any of the mayos in jars are made with pasteurised eggs so they’re safe.

@Melisss sorry to hear you’re feeling rough. It’s a tough process isn’t it? Hopefully all worth it in the end x

For those asking, my test date is 5th November. Our wedding anniversary. Not a fucking chance I’m testing then, a negative will completely ruin the day. Think I’ll test 9dp5dt - it should be reliable by then. I have to call the clinic on 6th November as they’re not open on a Sunday so I’ll do another test that morning.

I don’t think it’s worked, I know it’s too early, but I feel no different to my first two transfers. It’ll be interesting to see if I bleed or not, before test day. I assume not because I haven’t ‘ovulated’ this time round.

Still bunged up with this cold, but I think it’s getting slowly better.

Ugh feeling bit disheartened of the 9 that fertilised, 3 are good quality on day 3, one is where it should be just more average and the other 5 are poorer quality. So so so worried about them getting to Monday

@Melisss what helps me sometimes is to remind myself that this is a very transient stage. Time passes at the same rate even when it feels like longer. And eventually this part of the journey will come to an end. You won't feel like this forever. You're not alone in the misery though, what a nightmare all these drugs are.

@GabbyGal It's interesting some places do bloods and some don't? I think I'd have to pay extra for them. I almost wish I could be detached from it? I thought I'd be able to focus for the first week but literally cannot thing of anything else. I can't concentrate at all. Do you have to go for the blood test even if you test at home?

@Lauralozzle I've actually finally convinced my husband to let us test a day early (so the Friday) because I don't want to ruin his birthday! So I think not testing on your anniversary is a good choice. Have you felt like it hasn't worked everyday, or just today? It's so hard to know because rationally we know symptoms or lack of or feeling the same as previously doesn't really indicate the outcome! It's natural to feel like it hasn't worked when experience has told you to expect that. I've still got loads of hope for you and your cold that this is your round 🤞

@marshk 3 good quality, 1 average quality - that's amazing from 9 fertilised eggs honestly. I know that doesn't help though. Sometimes you just need to let yourself feel a bit put out by it at first. Are they going to let the other 5 carry on in the hopes they make it? Sometimes they can turn around! On our day 5 call we had one that was perfect (now a passenger on board) and that was it. Then day 6 they said another one had caught up that they hadn't expected! So you never know how things will turn around 😊

Thanks @IVFKinster. That's made me feel a bit better. the attrition rate is just 🤯 I'm going to say we've got 4 possible out of the 9.

I know googling is probably the worst thing right now but when they say they expect 30-50% to make it from day 3 to day 5, I presume that means 30-50% of the 9? Rather then 30-50% of just the good ones?

@marshk I think the % is based on total remaining regardless of how good they are?? So not unrealistic to expect 3-4 of them to make it in total imo. It's such a pot luck though and I don't find the % attrition helpful as really anything could happen.

@IVFKinster agreed going to stay away from google and get on with my weekend. No one knows what's going to happen and it's completely out of my hands. What a total kind fuck!

Hope you're getting on ok

Meant mind fuck 😂

@GabbyGal ok good to know about the mayo! I’ve done almost no research so was just erring on side of caution. Delighted to be able to have a sandwich again 😂

@marshk I know how you feel in terms of the disappointment but I actually think they’re good numbers! And remember the % fall-off rates are the average over a huge variance, and we’re all so different, so try not to worry (easier said than done I know!)

@Lauralozzle @IVFKinster @GabbyGal if you’re testing early… what are you using? A clinic-provided test or just a pharmacy one? I’m so nervous 😩 the 3rd for me will be 10dp5dt

@Lauralozzle glad you’re getting better but sorry to hear you’re feeling pessimistic about this round! Are you comparing symptoms (or lack of)? But do keep in mind that you’re physically run down and also it’s such a mental battle. Hope you’re looking after yourself!

@Melisss oh thag sounds awful yoy poor thing. Hopefully you’re feeling a bit better today and your partner is looking after you! At least it’s a Saturday so you can get some good rest.

Sending positive vibes to everyone 😘

Thanks everyone! I have managed to sleep a bit.

Now something strange is happening. Yesterday i had my scan and the nurse said everything is fine and the linning is nice and thin which to me it means that my period shed everything. My period was on it's last legs but now it seems like it's starting back again, with bright red blood (sorry TMI).

Has this happened to anyone? should I just asssume it's from starting the stims?

The clinic is closed of course for the weekend, there is an emergency number but not sure is this an emergency.

Hey @Melisss so my period was weird as well. I had a 2/3 day bleed (normally would be 4/5) and it's kind of stopped and started a little bit ever since. More spotting than full flow but its definitely different to my usual. I don't think it's anything to worry about I just think your bodies trying to figure out what it's doing with all the drugs and hormones 🤞😁 let me know if you find out otherwise.
Off topic- Did they count your follicles at your baseline scan by any chance? I'm trying to figure out if I will produce more follicles during stims or if it will stay the same? I can't remember what happened on my last round. They counted 6 in each ovary this time, tried googling if this will increase or not but can't find much. Xx

@Kitt86 I think my body hates me 😅 Thanks for the reassurance. I will give it until Monday then to see what happens. I might give them a call then.

She did not mention anything at the scan, she just looked at the linning and said the ovaries look good and that I can start adding the Ovaleap

@IVFKinster & @IVFDublin It’s more that I don’t feel any symptoms. I have progesterone boobs but always gave them. I’ve had some cramps today - period like. I know I’m run down from cold though, pure orange juice ice lollies are really helping with my throat though. Should be eating better, but I’m so tired from coughing my lungs up all I want is mashed potato and cheese or tomato pasta and cheese. Proper comfort food for me!

I’ve got to the end of the caremaps video saga. So they sent the wrong video for my fresh transfer! They sent me the Timelapse of the embryo they froze the same day, rather than the fresh. They’ve now sent me the video of the fresh transfer, which does look very different! I’m glad that drama is over!

I’ll be testing on a first response early one, 9dp5dt. Got to be reliable then!

Pretty sure it was an oversight @IVFKinster as that was what the doctor advised at our consultation session. Either that or they thought I have enough eggs (14) to not bother with ICSI..

In other news, I’m triggering tonight! They have said to take half Ovitrelle and 1ml buserelin so I can prepare for a fresh transfer 🙏

Hope everyone is keeping well. Those in the TWW hang in there, think happy thoughts, no stress!

Hi @Lauralozzle can I ask which clinic is this please? I have never heard of a time-lapse video. A bit envious!

@IVFDublin thanks, I'll get out for a little walk tomorrow and maybe try 10 mins of yoga.

@IVFKinster oh I'm glad it isn't just me!! I'm on the NHS and they only said to call with serious OHSS symptoms? Maybe I should give them a ring tomorrow just to explain I'm still not that great, might help if I need to call in sick on Monday as currently don't know how I'll manage to sit upright all day even if I am WFH!

@Melisss I don't have any experience of using the buserelin before stims, but so sorry it's making you feel so rubbish. Even aside from the hormone roller coaster, it's an incredibly emotional and stressful time, I hope you've got some real life support and can give yourself plenty of time to rest and process your feelings. Are you injecting yourself? Everyone is different, but I found it so helpful to let my husband do it as it saved me getting as worked up about it and I think that was one stress I was glad not to have on my plate.

@GabbyGal thank you ❤ fingers crossed Thursday comes along quickly for you and brings good news.

@Lauralozzle I'm so sorry you're not feeling like this round is going to be the one, but keeping everything crossed for you that it's a different story. I haven't read the complete thread but I gather you've had a rocky road ❤ Hope your cold clears soon. Have you got any nice plans for your anniversary?

@marshk the stats send you into a tailspin don't they! I was saying to my husband this morning that it's a cruel facet of IVF that you watch all of this play out, whilst people conceiving naturally are blissfully unaware of what is happening until they can test. I've read the 30-50% rate as being the % of fertilised eggs which make it to day 5, so I think you're at the upper end of that, and don't write the other ones off just yet (easier said than done I know). You've got this.

@4thcyclelucky yay for being ready for trigger tonight! Does that mean collection on Monday and also no more injections?

You're so right @SunsetsAndSandwiches - had the same conversation with my mum this morning. It's hideous. I can't even have a glass of wine to try and chill!!

Can anyone describe to me the transfer process ?
Do you change into a gown?
Is it a quick process?
I'm terrified I'm going to wee myself during it as I need a full bladder and I'll have held it for over 2 hours by the time I get there. I don't know how I'll manage if they keep me sitting around

@4thcyclelucky I’m with CARE fertility. Time lapse video is basically the development of the embryo from fertilisation to blast. They send you the video when it is transferred.

@SunsetsAndSandwiches Thank you. October has been pretty much an awful month. I had really dodgy stomach when I started taking estradiol, which I reckon was COVID now I look back on it. DH crashed his car and it’s been written off, I’ve had a cold from hell from day after transfer and now work are being dicks. November Can only get better!

I’m thinking we might go out for a meal. It falls on a Sunday, we might go out to our wedding venue for Sunday Lunch, which will be nice.

@MoonlightDreamer Get there - have full bladder but not bursting! Change into gown. Go into theatre room. Pop your legs up in big stirrups. Then the doctor puts speculum up there while nurse has ultrasound. Then put catheter up and transfer embryo. Expect lots of checking names and date of birth!

its like a long smear test, but I find it more comfortable than a smear because legs are up in the air. Once I’m in the right position it takes about ten minutes!

Yes @SunsetsAndSandwiches 9pm trigger for an 8am Monday collection🙏It’s usually a 45min drive and my husband had difficulty producing last time so we are going to stay at a hotel nearby tmr and hope it be a less stressful morning..

@MoonlightDreamer The prep takes about 45mins. I wear a non-wired sports bra and they give you a gown. This link has a lot of useful information - https://theduff.co.uk/egg-collection-what-to-expect-ivf/#:~:text=How%20do%20they%20actually%20%E2%80%9Ccollect,them%20find%20the%20exact%20spot.

@MoonlightDreamer sorry! My head is just all about egg collection at the moment 😅

Read this instead - https://theduff.co.uk/ivf-process-start-to-finish/

@MoonlightDreamer I had to have a full bladder for a scan to diagnose PCOS and timed it badly, so was already quite desperate and then had a 20 mins wait as they were running late. Managed to hold myself during the scan but was horribly uncomfortable.
Based on that experience, I think before any transfers I would aim for a trial run to try and work out timing? Obviously that doesn't really help if they're running late, and I guess it will vary based on hydration levels, but I definitely wouldn't try and have a full bladder 2 hours prior! Could you perhaps do that tomorrow and see if you can work out roughly when to start drinking and how much you're likely to need?