FET in November

[IVFgothope]

We're planning on having our first FET in November. Anyone else as well?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on natural vs medicated. My clinic prefers medicated but I'd rather take the least amount of hormones. Succes rates seem to be similar.

For context, after the stimulation phase 22 eggs were collected of which 16 were mature and I did a share program in which they were equally divided. So I received 8 mature eggs and 4 fertilised of which we got 3 embryos. As I was at a risk of developing overstimulation, the embryos were frozen. That's been a huge relief and I hope I can help someone else as well.

As I'm sure many of you have experienced, it's been challenging to get through the first stage. I've had quite a lot of physical and mental side effects. Does anyone else still feel bad a week after egg collection?

@LuckyPineapple you mentioned Covid in one of your early posts, can I ask how you feel about the booster vaccine during pregnancy?

I'm worried about catching anything that might interfere with embryo development. I read that there are no concerns around mRNA vaccines during pregnancy and the NHS recommends pregnant women to get the Covid booster. I'll ask my clinic if the blood test comes back positively.

Good luck with your scan next Tuesday!

@IVFgothope I was reading up on this yesterday re covid. It would seem that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risk. There's a lot of info online stating that to catch Covid could be more detrimental than the vaccine. I'm going to ask my clinic their thoughts on Tuesday. Just don't know what to think of it all.

@S1234P I did lots of tests in the first week after finding out and then had to stop. Although I did one on 6 weeks and then on 7 weeks. I always used first morning pee and found some a couple of days looked lighter than the previous day and then got darker after that. This of course added to my anxiety. They ended up darker and I kept going until I got dye stealers but this was at 6 weeks. Are you testing everyday? I found a bigger difference waiting 3 days before doing another.

My clinic offered 2 blood tests. One on official test day and then one 2 days after that. It was included in our treatment price. Would your clinic offer this at a cost? It just might give you some peace of mind.

@BambiOnIce80 Congratulations on your positive! 🎉 I have my scan on Tuesday and feeling so anxious for it! Do you have a scan date?

Only 2 more sleeps for you until scan day then @LuckyPineapple! 🤩 How are you feeling about it? Mine isn't until the 15th when I should be 7 weeks 🔮 I'm absolutely bricking it!

Regarding the covid jab, I had my third booster in the second trimester with DS and all was fine. Like you say, getting covid when you have low immunity is likely to be far more detrimental to a pregnancy than anything the vaccine could do. If I hadn't already had my flu and covid boosters this winter, I'd definitely be getting them 💉

Congratulations @BambiOnIce80! Hope the time passes quickly before your scan.

@BambiOnIce80 I'm terrified for it 🙈 I think it's also made me a bit agitated this weekend by just being apprehensive. I doubt I'll be able to concentrate on much before then and probably do my usual of trying to read everything on the nurses' face's before they've even spoken. Just praying it all goes well 🙏🏻

The 15th will come soon enough. Fingers crossed all goes well for you 🤞🏻 Do you ever find we constantly wish time away just in hope of feeling less anxious? It's so difficult!

Thank you for sharing your experience on Covid vaccines. It really helps to hear it from someone who was pregnant and got the vaccines. I'll definitely look into this 👍🏻I'd rather be safe than risk it.

@LuckyPineapple , I have been doing one everyday so far but I think I'm going to stop now! I got mixed up but actaulk y have official test date tomorrow, so will do one then and probably end of the week too. I did a clear blue weeks test and both times it was 2-3 weeks (done a couple of days apart) so I'm just feelimg a bit nervous and hoping for the 3+ this week.

My nausea has come into it's own today actually and has been a little relentless this evening. Definitely earlier than I've experienced before!

How is everyone else doing symptom wise?

@LuckyPineapple , solidarity on the being terrified ✊ I always ask them to either turn the US screen away from me or turn it off until/unless they find a heartbeat (the MMC really did a number on me 😞). Sending you positivity for Tuesday 💓

And yes, I completely understand the wishing time away from one hurdle to the next! My pregnancy with DS was just 9 months of anxiety that swung between mild to horrendous - it was always there until he was out and crying! 🤦🏻‍♀️ If this one does progress I'm going to try and allow myself to enjoy it more and not just constantly be on tenterhooks... easier said than done though 😏

Your symptoms sound pretty strong @S1234P , which has got to be a good sign 🙏🏻 Mine are mild and come and go (feels like they mostly go!), but reading back through the ones I had with DS (I'm terrible for documenting absolutely everything! 😳), they're pretty much identical. Insomnia, night sweats (probably both progesterone related, TBF), really feeling the cold, leg cramps and, the most severe one for me, gag reflex being triggered by strong smells. We thought my test result was probably going to come back positive when I had to leg it to the toilet when I was in the middle of changing DS' nappy! 💩🤢🤮

@BambiOnIce80 - i know that feeling of having a scan and just the wait until they tell the news. I've had so so many scans done to me in the past couple of years that I honestly just find them so traumatic now. I don't even know what I'm going to be like on the day of my scan.

That's amazing that you've documented everything! I wish I did a bit more but my symptoms tend to be pretty consistent - nausea, tiredness and random starvation are most common.

Isn't it funny how symptoms are so different for everyone! I never even knew feeling cold would be a symptom and I only got a leg cramp once but the was in my 7month with DS!

@S1234P, I feel you ❤️ I feel a bit over dramatic to say it's like a type of PTSD, but I think it must be. I was nearing blind panic at the 12 week scan with DS and DP just cried and cried with relief when we were out of there and everything was fine. It didn't stop throughout the whole pregnancy though - even at a 36 week scan when he'd literally been kicking me seconds before going into the scan, I had to ask them to turn the screen off until if/when they found a heartbeat 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm so sorry that you've had a tough couple of years of it too ❤️

It is crazy how much symptoms differ, and how quickly they come and go! I'll start to gradually panic when I realise I've been feeling fine all day, but then I'll get hit with a bit of nausea and relax again! 🤢😂 Trying not to drive myself nuts by over-analysing everything and take a che sera, sera approach 🔮

when would you typically get a 3+ weeks on a clear blue? I had a 5day transfer on 17th nov and I got 1-2 on it last sunday pm when I would have been 4weeks. I havent tested with clear blue since. I think I might buy another test today to check, so nervous though.
I'm feeling so anxious, can't shake off the feeling that somethings going to be happen. I don't feel like I have many symptoms- some insomnia, light cramps. I had increased urination but not sure if that's gone away. my throat has been ticklish all week. I wish I was getting more symptoms to put my mind at ease.
how is everyone else feeling?

I'm glad you're talking about symptoms because I'm struggling. Tiredness is the main one and I started feeling nauseous in the morning since last Thursday and it's a real challenge to get up early. I wake up several times a night with bad dreams. My belly feels tight, like there's a band around it (and bloated but that's usual). Also have occasional lower back pain. Sorry for the long list! It also feels a little reassuring to have symptoms as I still can't quite believe it. I've tested yesterday and this morning and the lines show up immediately and a bit darker.

Hi all,

I had a FET on 30th November so I am 4dp5dt. My test date is 12th December.
When does everyone start testing? Don't think I can hold out for the full time!
x

@mjet , it's really hard but please try not to worry about the tests. I'm a bit of a science geek, so know a little about them. They use hCG levels that are 'normal' (and there's a huge range of normal!) for a naturally conceived pregnancy, so we're likely to be slightly behind on the levels because FET's can be slower to implant. Similarly, you might show as 3+ weeks if you're having a twin pregnancy because there's twice as much hCG kicking about. One pitfall of them is that sometimes the placenta keeps forming at the normal rate even though the embryo has stopped developing, so gives us false reassurance that everything is going as it should. I know it's tough, but I'll be waiting for the 7 week viability scan to get a definitive answer about how things are or aren't going (it's really, really hard to stay calm whilst waiting though!).

Excellent news on your symptoms and strong lines @IVFgothope .Have you got a date for your viability scan yet?

Welcome @Ccp7 👋 I don't normally test early (because I've seen enough BFN's to last me a lifetime!). My clinic do blood tests at 9dp5dt, so a bareable amount of time to wait. Have you got anything nice planned to keep you distracted during your TWW?

@mjet I'm trying to be strong and not do one early but it's so hard isn't it! When did you start to get symptoms? I was SO tired all weekend despite sleeping well but unsure if that is all the progesterone or a symptom. No cramps or anything yet...

@BambiOnIce80 yeh that's a very good point to be fair. my viability scan is next Wed 13th so just have to try to keep my mind busy until then.

@Ccp7 with all my transfers, we've had a blood test with the clinic 12dp5dt, so I typically tested around 9 or 10days. it did help give me a few days to process the negative before the blood test as the very first transfer i waited until the blood test and it was devastating finding out over the phone. but its also shit to continue with the injections etc until the blood test as well. I dont think anything ever makes this shitty journey easier.
this time since we added steroids I really wanted to see if we were getting any implantation so we ended up testing at 7 days which was positive. how does your clinic work, do you just do a home test or do you have a blood test?
yeh ive had a range of symptoms but like you said its hard to know whats the medication or not. i had some cramps a couple of days after transfer, and then i had on/off fatigue tiredness the first week, but also have insomnia from the steroids. wishing you all the best for the tww x

I did a clear blue digital this morning and it came up with 3+ weeks, I'm 5w2 today. hopefully that will put my mind at ease until the scan next Wednesday!! 🙏

hope everyone else is doing OK xx

Morning all 👋. How is everyone getting on? Yay congratulations @IVFgothope @BambiOnIce80 and @mjet !! (So sorry if I've missed anyone).

I'm still testing positive, and the lines are getting darker, but I'm 19 days past transfer and I'm worried the progression is slow (if there's something to worry about, I definitely will). I've had two blood tests- the first at 13dp5dt and it was horrifically low. Had one two days after and it had almost doubled but not quite. Nurse on the phone didn't seem too concerned but I've had to make a conscious effort not to Google anymore as all I could find was negative stories and it was making me more anxious. I have a third blood test tomorrow which I'm hoping will be more definitive and hopefully has jumped up. The two tests have been in the range but just the low end.

Symptom wise, I've noticed a little bit of nausea starting, occassional lightheadedness, and mild cramps on and off.

Hope everyone is OK. Like @IVFgothope said this really does feel like a roller coaster. I can't imagine the anxiety stopping (even if I'm lucky enough for this to progress- can't bring myself to really imagine that it will yet, trying to guard myself).

Fantastic that you're still testing positive @Elkly88! Fingers crossed your third blood test will be showing a higher number. Do you mind me asking what the levels were on your previous tests? I've not done much research on this but I did read that levels vary a lot between women.

My clinic has booked my early scan for 4th Jan, which will be at 8 weeks + 6 days. I assume they can't do it earlier because of the holidays. I'm thinking about booking a separate scan somewhere at 6 weeks but also read it can be too early to see much. Has anyone done a scan before 7 weeks?

Also when do you all contact your GP and choose a maternity hospital?

Thanks @IVFgothope :). Yes, 13dp they were 73 and 15dp was 126. Very low compared to what you see for a lot of women on forums etc, but I've banned myself from looking at them now. They're technically within the normal ranges, just at the lowest ends. Hoping my bloods tomorrow will be less worrying. I feel like I'm constantly on edge at the moment.

That's good you've got your scan booked in. The clinic have booked mine for next Tuursday at which point I'll be 6w5d- they said they'd do another one the week after it that one ended up being a bit early. Definiyely understand wanting the reassurance of an early scan.

Good question about choosing a hospital, I have no idea but might let myself look at that on Thurs if my bloods are OK 🤣

@Elkly88 great that you get the scan at 6w5d! I asked my clinic and they said this is the earliest they can do but that's exactly the day we're travelling abroad 🙈 I might book at scan at 6w4d somewhere else.

I've been distracting my anxiety with studying the CQC reports. It's shocking (though unsurprising) how many hospitals come out with 'require improvement' scores, including my local one. I'm not sure whether the travel to a London hospital with a good or outstanding score will be worth it.

Ohh what a pain with the scan timing! Although great idea after all of this to get away for a bit. I'm taking it in steps- so this Thursday we'll see what our results are, then if they're OK the next milestone is the scan the following week.

You prompted me to have a look at my local hospitals, and they're both ranked the same for maternity (good). Not sure really what the differences will be...is there a tripadvisor equivalent for hospitals??

aw @Elkly88 it's an absolute roller coaster but they always say aslong as the levels are rising and doubling. its so different for everyone, and you're still getting positives!! hopefully third blood test will reassure you and then won't be long until first scan?

oh I never even thought about hospitals yet haha. its taken so long to get to this point never thought ahead lol

Thanks @mjet ❤️. Yeah I hope we're able to relax on Thursday when we get the results (but the voice in the back of my head can't accept it might be OK!). Then my scan is exactly a week after.

I know exactly what you mean. I don't even think I'm ready to admit I'm pregnant yet because I haven't been able to envisage it for so long!

Hope you're getting on OK x

Hello everyone!

@Ccp7 , welcome :) I got my BFP after 5dp5dt after experiencing slight symptoms but no obvious ones or any cramping/spotting. I only had an inkling as I've been pregnant before so knew a couple of recurrent symptoms that I've had.

@Elkly88 - that's really positive about the doubling and I think it's definitely best not to worry or Google anymore. It's actually convinced me not to do a blood test as I think it will cause more worrying than anything else and just wait for my scan in the 21.

@IVFgothope - check with your GP but mine told me to book with the hospital directly. You can either phone them or some are able to do it online - they should then refer you to a midwife :) I also had a scan done at 6 weeks with my DS as I started spotting quite a lot and we found a heartbeat at the time :) however I've also had it with another pregnancy where it was too early and then found it at 7 weeks instead.

In terms of research, I would look for a few things, distance to you and what facilities they have. If I remember correctly some hospitals used to do days for parents to be come and see the facilities. Also I don't know if you have it, we have a local Facebook group (or even on this forum) where you can ask questions and I find that people around the area have been great with giving their experiences about hospitals.