IVF/ICSI/FET November 2023

[Sunflower360]

Hi 👋 I could not see a thread had been set up so thought I would do so. Bit about me...

➡️38
➡️Low AMH being main issue, last test was around 4pmol in the summer
➡️Have had an abandoned and failed IVF cycle in Spring of this year due to failed fertilisation, OH had low morphology, other parameters ok so ICSI advised next time
➡️Since then, I had 2 x consecutive ICSI natural modified egg collections and have 2 x day 5 ❄️❄️ and 1 x day 3 ❄️ embryos, whether they are any good, only time will tell
➡️I'm about to start another egg collection on the mild protocol this time and will (hopefully if it goes ok) transfer this time

Please join the rollercoaster for November as you wish!

Morning @Hopingforno2in2023 - sorry to hear about the BFN. That’s so disappointing. Glad you are getting to focus on Christmas (my favourite time of the year). It’s great you have your next one on ice & hoping No.2 comes in 2024.

Hey @Runner77 - been thinking of you too. Negative tests suck - so I’m sorry about that for you.

Hope you can both take it easy the next few days and enjoy some things just for you.

Thank you @IslandsintheOcean, I have changed my username 😂😭

Women who go through IVF and similar have the hearts of lions @Hopingforno2in2024 and keeping hope alive is a courageous act. Well done for looking forward and love the new name!

@Hopingforno2in2024 sending hugs today 💔

Thanks @TT82. Am feeling positive about a FET. My body and mind really struggled with stims so I might have more success with an easier, calmer process.

MN keeps changing my name back, v annoying.

@Hopingforno2in2024, I'm really sorry to hear about your BFN. Try and enjoy the Christmas break and get rested, and hopefully, all will go great with your 3BB transfer in the new year. Will you do any tests or anything in between in readiness for the next transfer? You may have said previously, but what grade was this transfer that you had, if you don't mind me asking?

It was a 4bb @Sunflower360 so slightly better than my 3bb but not by much. I will ask about progesterone as I read that bleeding while still on the pessaries can mean your progesterone is too low.

@Sunflower360 thank you, that's really helpful <3 what an rollercoaster this is, so difficult to predict :( fingers crossed for Monday. @Hopingforno2in2024 sorry to hear, hope you have a lovely festive period and all the best for next transfer

@Sunflower360 @Caubabatko @Hopingforno2in2023 @TT82 thanks for your messages. It’s a rubbish result but I’m feeling a lot better today. We have three 5/6 day embryos in the freezer so we will likely do a frozen transfer in Jan or Feb.

@Hopingforno2in2023 so sorry, it’s so disappointing. Hope that 2024 will bring you success as well.

@Sunflower360 i forgot to mention, I’m 37. I did an EC when I was 34, and then the other two at 36 & 37.

@Runner77 thanks for sharing. Sorry if you already said, what was the grade of your transferred embryo and did you PGTA any of them?

@Sunflower360 I don’t know what grade our embryos are. I’m not sure if it’s just my clinic or the usual practice here (I’m in Australia) but they haven’t told us the grades and I haven’t asked. Both were 5 day so I’m hoping we will have more luck with the slower growing 6 day embryos in the freezer. None have been tested but I’m going to ask our consultant if it is possible to defrost and then test.

Thanks everyone for your messages. It has really helped to have an outlet to talk with people who really understand. You are all wonderful ❤️

Keep us posted @Runner77. depending on numbers they might not risk defrosting just to test for this cycle.

I’ve always wanted to experience an Oz Christmas - sunny & at the beach would be awesome. Hope you have some nice things planned for December.

Hey,
Sorry to hear there have been some negative results. It is so difficult, and I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this all ok/work out for everyone. It seems so bloody unfair! I guess until every fibre in your body is telling you to give up, you have to keep going. Keep picking yourself back up. Keep keeping a diary of what is and isn't working, and any adjustments that you can make. Keep taking all of your supplements, exercising, eating like a goddess and praying.

Just to update you. ..I have followed up again with Create. I had started with them in October (didn't feel happy about their admin at the time so went with Guys as my friend had been an NHS patient there. I have since learnt that all that other IVF providers I contacted - the service was often ropey too) so Create no longer seemed so bad and it was quite easy to pick it up again. I will start 3 consecutive natural modified cycles early next month (when AF comes). I was so disappointed to only have one follicle last week. It was a huge waste of money and hope, and a massive blow for my morale. I have no idea what I will get egg wise going forwards, maybe this month was just a bad cycle and I will have more going forwards, but the plan is to freeze anything in December and January and do a fresh transfer for the cycle in February. They will proceed with ER with one follicle (if that is what it comes down to) where as Guys wanted at least two over 18mm. While I am on Guys - awful experience - and I would not be recommending anyone go there. Not getting bogged down with that sh*t now, but maybe in the future I will write a very honest review to warn others what my experience was like. My dog was attacked on the common where we live in the summer, and we had multiple trips to the vet to get her wound sorted - and I thought she was treated considerably better than I was at Guys hospital.

The PGTA was mentioned last time with Create, but has now been dropped as there are likely to be so few eggs. It just takes one though and I am not nearly ready to explore any other options. I still believe..one day..it is just really hard some days. I still used the trigger shot. I wanted to try to keep this cycle on track. My usual 27/28 days would have AF arriving this Saturday. But that is if I ovulated on my normal day 15. The trigger pushed it to day 17, so I might be a couple of days late. We DTD though around that time, so there is a teeny tiny fraction of hope that we make it over the BFP hurdle this month...but I have said that the past 10 months and every time felt like there were so many signs..but no.
I hope you are feeling well @IslandsintheOcean I was wonderful news you had a few weeks ago and maybe you have had your 6 week scan by now? I hope you are feeling well and things are progressing nicely.
Sending love and baby dust to all. It is the TWW for a few of us now, and I am crossing everything that we have some more fantastic news for some of the group xXx

Hey @onewishplease - love that post (but not the disappointing experience with Guys!). To get this BFP we had 12 years of infertility, miscarriages, BFNs, non responsive cycles (we got two eggs, one mature only got to day 3 etc), failed FETs, delays due to ZIKA, covid never mind life events like parental bereavements - you name it. So keep on keeping on! Wishing you so well as you go.

You're right I’m over six weeks now - my clinic offered me a scan at over 7 weeks, I think it’s like 7+4d, so thats next week. I did get a six week scan last BFP but different clinic so different protocol I imagine.

No symptoms other than irrational rage at my other half…. But not sure if that’s a true pregnancy symptom. No period - so assuming I’m still pregnant. Haven’t tested and taking it one day at a time. It’s a waiting game the whole process but miracles do happen in time.

Hi all, 😮‍💨 EC done, all went ok apart they couldn't get to my veins..so poked like 5 times in different places. It is usually bad especially if I don't drink water before. So glad they managed 😅 Collected 17 eggs but many immature.. They won't give zs updates till next week once all finished and final results (standard here..last time was better as less stress, now I would like more updates at least how many fertilised.. 😒).
They warned of a possible overstimulation syndrome 😱 I do feel weaker than last time, but not too bad

Hoping for good news from some of you! Xx

Well done @TT82 - that’s a lot of eggs so look after yourself and keep an eye out for OHSS symptoms. That’s different that they don’t give updates as the week goes on. While it’s hard at least it helps y
prepare rather than waiting for 5 days and hearing unexpected news.

Hope you keep safe and well and get lots of rest over the next few days .

Thanks for the encouragement @IslandsintheOcean and for sharing your journey, you have been through a lot.
All the best @TT82 I hope you are resting now, that sounds like a big day and your body will be tired. Keeping everything crossed for your results, but it sounds like a positive step.

@TT82 hope you're ok, and hope for a good day 5 update for you.

Thank you all for you kind words and support! 🙏 I will update next week

Well done @TT82 & good luck!

Morning, I got my DHEA level back and it is 19.2 umol - does anyone know what that means, or can direct me to a website to find out. ISWAE book says 180 is optimal for fertility but they are using a different reference for the units..????

@IslandsintheOcean good point, we have our follow up appointment on 12th Dec so I’ll ask lots of questions about testing options then. So glad to hear everything is going well with you, everything crossed for more good news with your scan. Christmas in Aus is lovely, most people have time off during the festive period to enjoy the warm weather and travel. It’s also nice to be active around Christmas and burn off some of our over indulgences.

@TT82 sounds like a great result at EC! Definitely take it easy for a while and enjoy some wine before your transfer. Fingers crossed that you have lots of embryos.

@onewishplease exciting to be progressing with things again, and to have a new plan for going forward. Wishing you lots of success. Try not to worry about the previous cycles. My consultant told me that women often respond very differently cycle to cycle, so a previous cycle does not guarantee the results of the next. He has written a research paper on the topic.

Morning all, 12dp6dt and I woke up to cramps😨
I started bleeding like Day 1 of AF. I took a home pregnancy test and there wasn't even a faint line. Nada. I'm pretty sure it's over😢
I was instructed to have a blood hCG test on 14dp (this Saturday), but do you really need to after seeing BFN and bleeding?