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's very reassuring that everyone else finds it difficult to decide too! I think I ovulated on Friday so just counting down now to start stims on CD1

@IVFKinster I count CD1 from when it’s bright red blood/heavy dark red blood and I need a pad/tampon.

I spot usually for about a day/half a day - pantyliner is usually fine. Blood is usually watery and browny or pinky red. The moment it picks up in colour or consistency I class it as full flow/CD1.

Hi, hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread I'm starting meds for FET this month so I thought I'd introduce myself...

Unexplained infertility started my 1st round of IVF in June/July with a fresh transfer at the end of July which was not successful. I ended up unexpectedly at risk of OHSS however wasn't showing signs so they continued with a fresh transfer. In hindsight knowing what I know now I would have opted for a freeze all. They did managed to freeze 2 embryos though.

I start norethisterone on the 8th Oct and then on the 12th Oct they're giving me the zoladex implant.
I'll also be on oestrogen patches, cyclogest pessaries and lubion injections ( I didn't have lubion for fresh just cyclogest)
I have my 1st scan booked for the 25th Oct and 2nd on the 3rd Nov so I think transfer might be early/mid Nov

I'm still all very new to the world of IVF

@Peacejan Welcome! Good Luck with your FET. Not long before you start norethisterone. I’m sorry to hear about your failed transfer.

So CD1 today. No spotting this cycle, just straight into it! I’ve called the clinic and I’m waiting for them to contact me back about my first scan and when to start taking the oestrogen tablets.

FET #1 here we come!

The ah amazing @Lauralozzle - keeping my fingers crossed for you

Morning everyone,

So nice to see how many of us are going to be so close together for our treatments.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

@Lauralozzle so pleased you enjoyed the spa break, and amazing news! I bet you are so ready for your plan of action now 😊

I was feeling down about this round, but after talking to a friend over the weekend that is trying, but has since found out she has PCO and her husband has sperm issues also, it's picked me up a little bit as she was telling me about meditation etc. so 100% I'm going to try and meditate and think a lot more positive (if I can 🙈😂)

@User491 I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better. I think it’s normal to feel a bit down. I told my friends this weekend about IVF and I’m happy I did because it’s a weight of my shoulders and I 100% have their support.

Clinic got back to me! Start tablets today (just taken 2 with lunch to catch myself up!) and scan next Wednesday.

@Lauralozzle I agree with you, it's nice to have that extra bit of support. Help to pick you up on the tough days ❤️

That's brilliant news! I bet you feel relieved to be back on with it. What is the process for a FET?

@User491 I take oestrogen tablets - 1 tablet x3 times a day until day ten scan next Wednesday. Guess then check my lining and have blood test. Will start progesterone after that if all is good. Then once I’ve been on progesterone for long enough and lining is thick enough, it’s transfer time. It’s mad, cycle has started and no injections!

Hope the embryo survives the thaw. 😬

I find it reassuring that others struggle with CD1 thanks everyone 😁 The difficulty I have is I usually get a half day of bright red blood that is actually quite scary and then sometimes that carries on sometimes it stops as quickly as it started for another day or two! Which is difficult if I have to call on day one but don't know until two/three days in if it was really day one!

My clinic told me not to start any meds until I had my scan as sometimes they do a delayed start as they don't start until lining is thin and ovaries are definitely quiet.

Hooray for CD1 @Lauralozzle. I'll be starting my meds today after a successful first scan (well done uterus) too same as you 3x a day but having to squish them into an afternoon/evening today. I go back for my next scan Thursday next week. Is your blood test going to be to check your progesterone or for something else?? I don't get a blood test!

Sorry to hear you've been feeling a bit down @User491! I'm with you, I've made the decision to try to be more positive, even if I know it doesn't change the chance of it working etc. But neither does being pessimistic. It's going to be painful if it doesn't work even if I'm miserable in advance so I'm trying to take a more excited approach!

@IVFKinster Yay! I’ve had to squeeze my tablets in today. Nurse said if take all 3 at once might feel a bit sick. I took 2 in one go to even it out (so will from this point on take one at breakfast, lunch and dinner) and I do feel a bit off but that might just be CD1 period stuff anyways.

Blood test is to check oestrogen levels I believe. These tablets should stop me ovulating but there’s a chance they won’t, so the test is to check those levels. If they don’t I’ll have to move to natural cycle and will have regular scans to check development of the follicle. Hope it just works properly. I have a blood test day before transfer for progesterone.

I don't think there's any hope of my body even pretending to ovulate before CD18 so they're probably not worried about that with me 😂
Fingers crossed @Lauralozzle that everything goes to plan for you 🤞 and for all of us really!
Should I expect side effects from these tablets?

@IVFKinster no idea about side effects! I hope not! I’ve not read the packaging- maybe I should 🤔

I've had a little read @Lauralozzle and don't recommend it! Lots of stuff regarding long term use etc which is unnecessarily terrifying. Basically things that seem to apply for short term use: dizziness, migraines, headaches, water retention, increased hunger. The usual for any kind of hormones.

@IVFKinster Ah, yes. Usual stuff. I shall look forward to it 😂

It all feels a little surreal at the moment. I’ve started the cycle, but it doesn’t really feel like it. Feels like a prep month with the tablets. It’s certainly less stressful not faffing about with injections.

Is that because you've not had any appointments or anything do you think? I was so excited to get my period, I forgot for a moment that they're actually murder.

@Lauralozzle that's great, so there isn't a timescale as such, it's more about when your body is ready etc? Such brill news though and hopefully won't take too long! Yey for no injections too ha!
Bless you, I'm sure it will 🤞🏻

@IVFKinster bet you are so pleased to be starting the meds too 🥳
Yes it's hard to keep positive but I figured being miserable and thinking it's not going to work is probably going to cause me more stress, so will do my best 🙈 however; the only good thing about being the other way is that you are more prepared I suppose 😬

Hopefully you both don't have any/minimal side effects! As you say though they are all the same for hormones. Us women are so lucky 😂

I'm not sure you know @User491 does preparing for the worst make it less painful do you think?

I was really over thinking it (😂 doing well at being positive and relaxing into the process so far). I'm trying to view it like.... does knowing you could have a car accident make it hurt any less when it happens?

I can have several weeks of being positive and trying to be happy followed by a good or bad outcome. Or I can have several weeks of negative misery and pessimism followed by a good or bad outcome. The result will be the same regardless so I feel for me, it's worth trying to enjoy the journey....much easier for me as a first timer though! And people need to approach it in the way that feels the best for themselves however that might look.

That was a genuine do you think it makes it less painful? Rather than a snarky one that it might read like 😱

@IVFKinster I think it’s the lack of the injections. Doesn’t feel like IVF cause of that!

@User491 I think trying to be positive is a great mindset.

I’m ambivalent to it. Not excited or doom and gloom. This period is hell though, one of those naturally bad ones I get from time to time and the lack of any decent pain meds has sucked up all my energy. Maybe I’ll feel more excited after it’s finished, cause right now I feel a bit 💩

I forgot to take my tablets to work today so I’m going to have to have 2 at once again. Hopefully it won’t ruin things!!

Should we not be taking pain meds?! I've been taking so many paracetamol just to exist on my period. I assume ibuprofen would be a silly idea.

My clinic haven't really given me any advice on dos or don'ts prior to transfer 🤨

I'm sure you haven't ruined anything @Lauralozzle ! I was reading that some people decide to take all three at once and have been told that's fine. I think spreading them out feels sensible and logical but I'm sure it won't make any difference for a day or two. I'm sorry you're feeling shit. Understandable really. It's okay to feel ambivalent and not to be excited. You feel how you feel.

@IVFKinster Paracetamol is fine but they don’t touch period pain for me. I’m an ibuprofen & codine plus paracetamol lady for the heavy days normally!

@IVFKinster i was in hospital with OHSS last time and was then on ibuprofen for a week or so (while pregnant but before time to test) and everyone said ibuprofen was fine. Maybe check with your nurse team 🙂

how is everyone who’s started meds feeling? My hormones are enough of a nightmare without having to try controlling them with injections and tablets! Hope you’re all taking time for yourselves through this too.
x

Hi all! Hope you don’t mind me joining in…

I’m 35, and going through my first round of ICSI this month. Have been TTC for a year - I have very low AMH as well as morphology issues on my husband’s side.

I just finished my week of Norethisterone and have my baseline scan tomorrow, nerves definitely kicking in. Absolute best case is 5 eggs so trying to keep my expectations in check!

Have been cutting out all the fun foods and drinks the last couple of months and living worst of both worlds… so excited to get started!

Hi everyone, can i join in?

i will start my first IVF/ICSI cycle late Oct age 33 husband 35 TTC 3 years. Nice see people with similar situation. Good luck to you all