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.

@Lauralozzle me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ really feel like it's dragging. I won't start stims for another 2 weeks and I feel like time is moving soooo slowly 🐌 😂

@IVFKinster thank you, really hoping this round is the one 🤞🏻
Yes it's been long protocol each time, which has worked fine for me to be honest, I should be starting my stims 20/10 all being well at my scan the day before.
No they are fine, the menopur is just a bit of a faff as you draw liquid and then mix it with the different vials of powder, then draw back into the syringe and change the needle before injecting (the pink needles are huge that you draw it in with, but make it far easier.. thankfully you don't inject with them 😂)

@Lauralozzle hey 👋🏻 😊
Yes just on the buserelin again, which has always worked so fingers crossed it does again this time, my clinic just pick a random day to start, where others are set to your cycle, but I've just had a period.. today is CD5, hopefully it doesn't cause any issues.
Yeh really pleased to have something to keep my mind active! I'm going to start plan some Christmas things for December that will also help 😂

Hopefully all of us will be close dates wise and keep each other sane 🤣

@marshk I’m glad I’m not the only one! I’ve got awful PMS at the moment, I’m knackered, boobs are killing me (this is a pms thing for me - I have months when they’re horrendous and months when I don’t feel a thing). I want to hibernate under my duvet! I also want ALL the chocolate 🍫

Period should be here by Wednesday next week at the latest going off my longest cycles. I really wish I’d tracked this month. I hate not 100% knowing when it will show up!

@User491 I’m glad you’re good on the buserelin.

Christmas things! Exciting! I love Christmas but refuse to do anything Christmas related until after our wedding anniversary (bonfire night). I can’t wait for tree to come out and all the sparkly lights. My fav time of the year, easily!

Hi all, hope it’s ok to join in! It’s our first round of IVF so all new to me. Started oestrogen yesterday, taking that for 2 weeks before I start stims, egg collection and fresh transfer planned for end-Oct all going well.

I’m about to turn 39, DH is 43, we were lucky to conceive DD (age 4) on our first try, but no joy TTC #2. Nothing showed up on any of the tests, just unexplained secondary infertility. We’re in Ireland so the only option is to go private which we are very fortunate that we can afford (public IVF has only just been introduced here but we don’t qualify as we already have a child).

Going into this round feeling positive, a bit apprehensive about side effects from meds but trying to put off worrying about the outcome for now. One day at a time.

@IVFKinster yes, my plan is to get two egg retrievals done by the end of the year. Fingers crossed I get lots of good eggies, bc I realize doing embryos straightaway is the best option. Husband understands why I’ve decided to do this (his preference would be for the money to go towards us buying bigger house, but he did go to the Fertility Doctor with me to hear my results/recommendations), so he understands why I’m on “a bit of a rush” to get eggs frozen. I am terrified of looking at needles so husband will be helping with meds and probably collecting me on procedure day. Once he gets his stuff sorted, hopefully next year, we will do a round of embryo freezing. You are totally right, fertility preservation is not supported well enough…these are different times from our grandparents, Egg Freezing/IVF should be offered for free at least once for any woman over 21 that wants/wishes to do so, no questions asked just giving women a chance of preserving their fertility a bit further than what biology has imposed on us.

@Lauralozzle Thanks, medication arrived today…I sent a pic to my mum and said “gold drugs have arrived” - paid a small fortune for 6 cartridges of Ovaleap 900iu.
I love hearing about other people’s stats on AMH and AFC and then how many eggs got retrieved…when did you last do an AMH test? I had a lower AMH in June than I did in late July, only change I made between tests was 6weeks of prenatal vitamins that I never had done before, but I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t repeated the test with two different providers my Fertility Doctor would have said “AMH can’t really increase” 🤪

For you ladies that have done stims/egg collection/IVF a few times, what things you do diet/self-care/supplements wise during special cycle that you REALLY think makes a difference on your fertility/ability to have a better outcome? I feel that there are a lot of things suggested out there that only stress me out (such as acupuncture and medidation) 🫠🤣 all I’ve been praying is to feel well enough to continue to carry on with work and going to the gym to help my mental health/ keep my mind off from matured eggs retrieved number.

@GabbyGal Hello 👋

Good luck with your cycle. You’ll be starting stims before you know it! I didn’t really get any side effects until a few days before egg collection, fingers crossed they won’t affect you too much.

@ViVRe My AMH was last checked March 2022.

I’d been taking most of the supplements advised in it starts with the egg. Our last cycle was much better and I was on proxeed women and the OH on proxeed men for 3/4 months. We both cut down on caffeine, OH dramatically so. I didn’t drink at all really, only a glass of wine or so with family meals (probably only one or two glasses during the prep). We went away to Germany for a few days and I had radlers the whole time, which is just a shandy.

I do think the proxeed for both of us helped. I do suspect the zymot chip, AOA and lower dose of stims over a longer time had most to do with it though. Our fertilisation rates were still iffy but the consultant was very happy with our blast rate. If I have to go another egg collection we’ll be copying what we did last time though.

I’ve never had acupuncture or anything. I don’t like things like that, they don’t relax me. I’m going to a spa this weekend with friends and I’ll spend the entire time in the pool because the thought of a massage/seaweed wraps etc makes me feel really uncomfortable. But lots of people say it’s good as it relaxes them etc - I don’t personally think it helps the outcome. Just your mental health if that’s what you like.

Hi @Lauralozzle

V similar journey to yours and should be starting ICSI short protocol (or) FET mid-October.

Some history:

TTC our first for 1+ year (figured out we have male factor 3-4 months in - Oligoasthenozoospermia). Officially unexplained but DH had an undescended testicle at birth, rectified surgically about age 3. I have a poor reserve too (AMH 4.1), so its a bit of a mix.

Mar 23 - First ICSI cycle. 6 eggs, 6 mature, 5 fertilised. One average blast to transfer (3-4BB). Nothing to freeze. BFN.

Aug 23 - Second ICSI cycle. 10 eggs, 8 mature, 7 fertilised. One average blast to transfer (4B+B) and 1 to freeze (5B-B). BFN.

Oct 23 - Thinking of doing another fresh ICSI cycle rather than use the frozen embryo; depends on clinic advice on the matter as well. Have a follow-up appointment to discuss next week. Whichever way, expect ing period about mid-October which is when the next cycle (ICSI or FET) will commence.

@ViVRe I'm glad your husband is on board with why you're doing this. And it's nice he's going to help you with the needles! The needles were much better and easier than I was expecting if that helps, but I know it doesn't really if you've got a proper phobia of them. I've only done IVF once so I obviously have no idea what helps the outcome but I would say for self-care that I wish I had booked at least three days if not a week off after EC, and I wish I'd stuck to high protein meals throughout the process as I just basically ate beige things because I felt so sorry for myself but it made all the bloating and sluggishness worse! If I have to do it again I'll be much stricter about not eating all unhealthy things.

Welcome @CDiamond ! Do you have a preference for what you want to do or are you just going to follow clinic advice?

@GabbyGal i hope you get on okay with the medication! Fingers crossed you don't notice any side effects and it's all worth it 🤞

This week really IS dragging. I was convinced my period would be on the way early but apparently not. Tbf it's not actually due until Monday I don't think so it was probably wishful thinking! I had a dream about lots of scary medication arriving 😂 my meds should be here tomorrow but I'm not expecting anything scary about them. I just want to get started now.

My medication arrived today. Good job they told me in advance that lubion comes with a huge scary "sucky up" needle and a normal, human sized injection needle otherwise I'd be calling off this whole baby thing 👀

I woke up feeling horrendous today. Sore throat, phlegmy cough, headache 😬 I hope it doesn't turn into anything else. They don't delay starting FET cycles for colds do they?

Hi all.
Just thought I would join in.
I had tubes removed a few years ago due to blockage. I'm 37, have had 1 round (but 2 transfers )of NHS IVF in 2022. 1 embryo transferred, then 2 embryos transferred. Pregnant both times but ended in miscarriage.
Now paid private to go again. Start meds on Oct 10th 2023, and egg collection aiming for 6th November. All my IVF friends (3 couples) are all pregnant now. Hoping it's my turn next. But needed some support. Good luck everyone 😍

Hi All, how’s everyone’s weeks been?

I have been absolutely riddled with anxiety it’s been awful! 🤦🏻‍♀️ my clinic hadn’t called me back after calling to let them know I had my day 1 bleed and it just sent my head into a spin thinking I had missed the start date to take Norethisterone! 😵‍💫 panic over (god love my OH lol) and after some acupuncture I’m feeling more sane!

I start on 12th Oct on Flare protocol so looking at early Nov for EC. Excited to get started! @Kitt86 looks like we will be on the same timeline, really hoping you get your little miracle this time ❤️ @IVFKinster km pretty sure they wouldn’t cancel for a cold, just rest up and get yourself better xxx

Hi @Kitt86 I'm sorry for your miscarriages ☹️ 10th October will be here before you know it. I hope it's your turn next too! Fingers crossed for us all.

@Rosesinbloom19 I think it's so easy to get into a panic with everything during IVF! Glad you're feeling more sane now. Do you know what you need to do about starting norethistone?

Thank you 😂 I got myself into a bit of a stew worrying about having COVID but the tests say negative and it'll be gone by the time I have my first scan/start FET meds either way!

Hi @IVFKinster - I want to do a fresh round again and maybe see if they'll let me transfer 2 embryos this time; I would prefer this to FET with the one frozen embryo from last round. I am keen to hear what the clinic have to say though.. cant wait for the follow-up appointment on Tuesday!

Hi

i hope everyone is doing ok. I’m hoping I can join this thread to add to and get some moral support.
should be doing a natural FET towards the end of October (providing my ovulation blood tests come back ok).
we did a long protocol previously with a fresh transfer (and 1x 5 day blasty to freeze) which resulted in our LG, so hoping to transfer our frostie

Hi folks,

i have read all your stories and really am wishing you all the best of luck this cycle.

please may I join? I appreciate very much that my situation is not comparable to folks who have been TTC for a long time and want to be sensitive to that!

My circumstances are I am just 34, and in a same sex relationship trying to conceive via IVF with donor sperm. As we have to entirely self fund we went straight to IVF due to the poor success rates of IUI. No known health issues at present, though my reproductive system has never been tested!

I did a mild stimulated round back in May from which we got 3 five day blasts. Unfortunately the fresh transfer in May was BFN. The first FET was in July and this was also a BFN.

due for a third and final transfer from this round this month. I have just got my period so will start oestrogen tomorrow. Feeling very pessimistic about it all to be honest! I know grading isn’t everything it’s it’s our “least good” blast left.

Clinic say bad luck so far and no further investigations indicated at the moment. If this one fails we will have to shelve this project until next year as we are out of money and borrowing options, and Im feeling the pressure of my age starting to build.

On previous attempts I have found these threads very helpful. Although we are not keeping this a secret, our families just don’t seem to understand the stress and strain of ivf - they keep repeating that they’re sure it will work eventually which doesn’t feel helpful when you feel knee deep in negatives! It feels like people don’t really want to hear about ivf unless it’s worked.

anyway, wishing everyone the very best!!

*edit for small typo

@CDiamond Hello! Oh yes, our cycles so far do look pretty similar. Fingers crossed you’re good to go for a fresh round after your review on Tuesday!

@IVFKinster Same here re period. I half expected it Friday/Saturday because I’ve had some cramps but nothing yet. The app says I’m due Monday, should definitely be here by Wednesday as that’s my longest cycle dates so should be starting FET meds at some point this week! I’ve had a slightly dodgy stomach this weekend and woke up feeling rough. We have had builders round this week and the lad was quite poorly I’m hoping I’ve not picked up what they have! I don’t think they’ll cancel a FET for a cold. I bloody hope not!

@Kitt86 Welcome! I’m sorry to hear about your miscarriages.

@Steph2345 Hi! Good luck with your FET.

@Quickdraw23 Welcome. I’m sorry to hear about your previous transfers not working. I totally get how crap that is. I find people who haven’t been through it just don’t really understand.

Back from hen do spa getaway. It was quite nice actually, I wasn’t expecting much from it but quite enjoyed using the facilities.

I’ve had period cramps for the past 4 days, so it’s definitely on its way. Feel a bit rough, thanks to builders sharing their man flu! I’m looking forward to my period just starting, I absolutely hate the waiting around for it to start!

I would like to join in as well :)

On Northisterone now. I expect the stimming to be done in mid October.
TTC for 3 years and first cycle. Excited that atleast there is some progres after TTC for a long time.

This will be a freeze all cycle since I have fluid in fallopian tubes :(
So FET will be after the fallopian tube is fixed.

Glad the hen do spa was good @Lauralozzle and hope everyone else is having a lovely weekend!

@biscuitsndtea Hello 👋 I totally understand the excitement after waiting for so long. How long have you been on norethisterone and how are you finding it?

@marshk It was surprisingly good. So much so that I’m thinking maybe I’ll join a health club as our gym only has a swimming pool and gym. I really enjoyed the steam room and the laid back pace of it all. Got to price it up, but I think it might be good for me - it might help to de-stress which can only be good for me mentally in light of all this IVF crap!

@Lauralozzle I have been on Northisterone for nearly a week now. Initially there was some slight abdominal pain. Now I dont I am fine :)

@biscuitsndtea I’m glad you’re ok on it. I was the opposite- started off fine on it but by the end had horrible cramps on the stuff.

@CDiamond you'll have to let us know how you get on and what the clinic advise 😊

@Steph2345 welcome! I hope your ovulation test goes smoothly and your FET goes to plan! Fingers crossed for a second success for you 🤞

@Quickdraw23 I'm sorry you've not had success so far! How difficult for you ☹️ I think generally people just don't know how to be anything other than hopeful because they're powerless to do anything to help. I've definitely heard people have BFNs with fab embryos and BFPs with less perfect ones! I didn't want to know the grade of our two embryos because I don't think it makes any difference.

Welcome @biscuitsndtea it is a nice feeling to finally get going after TTC for so long. Frustrating that you'll have to have a freeze all but I guess at least you're going into this step knowing that already so can manage your own expectations!

Great to hear you had a much deserved nice time at the spa @Lauralozzle! I love a spa. I'd definitely go to one every weekend if I was rich 😂 it's a shame you're feeling a bit rough! I actually felt 100% better today which is weird and my period started yesterday morning so I've got my baseline scan tomorrow to make sure I can go ahead and then I'll start tablets I guess tomorrow or Tuesday! 🤞🤞 I hope your period isn't far away!

Does anyone else get confused on if their period is their period rather than spotting that might stop? And if CD1 is really "day one" and what "full flow" really means? My poor husband was no help at all when I gave him way too much information and asked if he thought I could count it as my period really starting 😂 this shit doesn't matter until it comes to this IVF process. It's crazy.

Omg @IVFKinster you could have read my mind- honestly no idea what counts as CD1 - I tend to spot for a day or 2 before my period properly starts... I don't think I'm going to count those days as day 1

@IVFKinster i so know what you mean!! It’s a minefield I swear! And I guarantee that mine plays up as soon as I need to pay attention.
do you need to start meds on day 1?

Deciding CD1 is so hard! I spotted for five days before my last period, absolute nightmare knowing where to draw the line.